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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 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 H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Launched May 2009
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony H20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and H20 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was manufactured 2 years later than the H20 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades against the H20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony H20

 SZ-31MR iHS H20 
LaunchedFebruary 2012May 2009Fresher by 34 months
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 H20 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony H20

 SZ-31MR iHS H20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony H20 has measurements of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony H20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS vs the H20.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and H20 is 89 and 87 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The photograph underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and H20.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to offer greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern SZ-31MR iHS provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony H20 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony H20 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than others in class (250g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography factors
Sony H20 Sports photography factors
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
26
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Sony H20
67
lighter than competition in class (226g)
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
51
flash built-in
long zoom (380mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than others in class (250 grams)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony H20 as a Landscape photography camera
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
36
focusing manually
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Vlogging with Sony H20
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
more heavy than others in class (250 grams)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony H20
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-02-08 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.30 m 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lbs) 250 gr (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $249