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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-C3
  • Refreshed by Sony NEX-3N
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Below is a extended review of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony NEX-F3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and NEX-F3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was unveiled 6 months before the NEX-F3 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-F3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up versus the NEX-F3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony NEX-F3

 SZ-31MR iHS NEX-F3 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 NEX-F3 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony NEX-F3

 SZ-31MR iHS NEX-F3 
RevealedFebruary 2012August 2012Same generation
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution920k920kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS provides exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-F3 has specifications of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony NEX-F3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the NEX-F3.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and NEX-F3 is 89 and 86 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and NEX-F3.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The SZ-31MR iHS features the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF harder.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography info
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography info
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Street photography details
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch focus
lighter than competition (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography information
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography information
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
53
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography information
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competition (226 grams)
offers touch focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography advice
41
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (470 per charge)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging advice
35
pretty wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
27
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony NEX-F3
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-02-08 2012-08-16
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 314 gr (0.69 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 1114
Other
Battery life 200 shots 470 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $0 $470