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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched February 2012
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A99
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Overview

The following is a extensive overview of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A900, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and A900 (25MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and A900 (Full frame) use different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was unveiled 3 years after the A900 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores versus the A900 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony A900

 SZ-31MR iHS A900 
RevealedFebruary 2012October 2008Newer by 41 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 A900 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display resolution922k920kSharper display (+2k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A900

 SZ-31MR iHS A900 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers physical measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony A900 has sizing of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A900 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the A900.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and A900 is 89 and 54 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and A900.

Clearly, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-31MR iHS with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A900 will provide you with extra detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher SZ-31MR iHS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Sony A900
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
you can focus manually
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography information
Sony A900 Street photography information
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features touch focus
lighter than average in class (226g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography features
Sony A900 Sports photography features
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography advice
Sony A900 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than average in class (226g)
features touch focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
54
weather sealing
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography highlights
Sony A900 Landscape photography highlights
41
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
fantastic megapixels (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
no liveview
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging advice
Sony A900 Vlogging advice
35
rather wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
9
no video shooting
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony A900
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-02-08 2008-10-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 lbs) 895g (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1431
Other
Battery life 200 images 880 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots 1 Two
Price at release $0 $2,736