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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
51
Overall
46

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 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
  • Introduced February 2012
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Revealed February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX200V
  • Later Model is Sony HX400V
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is very comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was manufactured 12 months prior to the HX300 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the HX300 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony HX300

 SZ-31MR iHS HX300 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 HX300 SZ-31MR iHS 
RevealedFebruary 2013February 2012Fresher by 12 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX300

 SZ-31MR iHS HX300 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features outside 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 HX300 has specifications of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the HX300.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and HX300 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and HX300.

All in all, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX300 to provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older SZ-31MR iHS will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography advice
Sony HX300 Portrait photography advice
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
42
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography features
Sony HX300 Street photography features
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers focus via touch
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than average (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Sports photography with Sony HX300
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Sony HX300
67
lighter than others in class (226g)
offers focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
54
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (623 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Landscape photography camera
41
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
48
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX300 as a Vlogging camera
35
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
25
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic support
heavier than average (623g)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX300
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-02-08 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 50 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lbs) 623 grams (1.37 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) -
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $339