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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 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 HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Announced April 2009
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 Overview

The following is a extensive overview of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") feature different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 2 years after the HX1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores vs the HX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony HX1

 SZ-31MR iHS HX1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012April 2009Newer by 35 months
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 HX1 SZ-31MR iHS 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX1

 SZ-31MR iHS HX1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS enjoys physical dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony HX1 has sizing of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the HX1.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and HX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specifications. The picture here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and HX1.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-31MR iHS because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will produce more detail utilizing its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics far more aggressively. The younger SZ-31MR iHS should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
focusing manually
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has touch focus
lighter than competition (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
50
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
heavier than competitors in class (544 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography info
Sony HX1 Sports photography info
44
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count low (9MP)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (226 grams)
has touch focus
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
48
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (544 grams)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography features
Sony HX1 Landscape photography features
41
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
not so great battery power (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
39
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.4")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging details
Sony HX1 Vlogging details
35
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
22
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1440 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
heavier than competitors in class (544g)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX1
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-02-08 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 544 gr (1.20 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FH50
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
Storage slots One One
Retail price $0 $47,999