Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX5: An In-Depth Look at Two Compact Superzoom Cameras

When it comes to choosing a compact camera with zoom power, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 stand out as intriguing options from slightly different eras and design philosophies. Both pack superzoom lenses but cater to slightly varied user preferences and photographic needs. Having put both through comprehensive testing and real-world shooting scenarios, I aim to provide you a detailed, hands-on comparison that goes beyond specs sheets to help you decide which might be the better fit for your photography - whether that's casual travel snaps, wildlife close-ups, or video blogging.

Let’s dive in by first understanding how these cameras compare physically since ergonomics can be surprisingly important during long shooting sessions.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Which Feels Better in the Hand?

One look tells you the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX5 are compact, but the Olympus leans towards a slightly chunkier superzoom form-factor, while the Sony adopts a classic compact stance. Both prioritize portability, but their handling nuances differ.

The Olympus SZ-31MR measures approximately 106×69×40 mm and weighs 226 grams, while the Sony HX5 is a little smaller at 102×58×29 mm and lighter at 200 grams. That extra thickness of the Olympus accommodates its mammoth 24x zoom lens, which extends to an equivalent 600mm focal length - impressive for a camera of this size. The Sony offers a more limited 10x zoom, topping out at around 250mm equivalent.

In practical terms, the SZ-31MR feels bulkier but well-balanced for telephoto work. Its grip is more pronounced, giving a secure hold during longer shots. The Sony, while lighter to carry around all day, lacks a substantial grip and might feel a little slippery for certain hand sizes - something I noticed especially during quick shooting on the move.

The controls on both are simplified, understandably so given the compact design, but the Olympus edges ahead slightly with more tactile buttons and a touchscreen to navigate menus swiftly. The Sony relies entirely on physical buttons without touch input, which can slow down access to settings - a personal preference, but worth noting if you value snappy operational speed.

Let’s peek at the top to see how controls stack up.

You can see the Olympus’s button layout includes a zoom lever around the shutter, a mode dial, and dedicated buttons for quick adjustments. The Sony is minimalist, which makes for fewer distractions but less customization.

If you prioritize rugged ergonomics and zoom reach, Olympus wins here. If you prefer pocketability and lightness, the Sony might suit you better.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Bigger, Better or Just Different?

Both cameras use a small 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor - fairly standard for compact superzooms - but with notable differences in resolution and sensor processing.

The Olympus SZ-31MR boasts a 16MP sensor, while the Sony HX5 has a 10MP chip. At first blush, higher megapixels sound good, but it’s the sensor implementation, noise handling, and image processing that truly dictate final image quality.

In my hands-on testing, Olympus’s Dual TruePic V processor (introduced in the SZ-31MR) delivers sharper images with better detail preservation, especially at low and mid-range ISOs up to ISO 800. The Sony HX5 with its Bionz processor yields smooth, punchy colors but slightly softer detail and more noise visibility beyond ISO 400.

Dynamic range is similar between them, which isn’t surprising given the shared sensor class. Neither is a landscape photographer’s dream for retaining shadow details in harsh contrast, but for web sharing or moderate prints, both suffice.

Comparing image samples side-by-side (note the sharpened details and color rendition from both cameras):

Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back Sony HX5 front Sony HX5 screen back

Under good light, Olympus’s images show more texture and less noise, lending more flexibility for cropping and post-processing. Sony’s output looks cleaner but softer, which some might prefer for portraits or casual shooting where noise shouldn’t be evident.

Notably, the Olympus supports ISO 80 on the low end, helpful for bright conditions and maintaining image quality. Sony starts at ISO 125.

In summary: If raw image quality and higher resolution matter for your work, Olympus’s sensor and processor combo performs better, but Sony's output remains perfectly acceptable for day-to-day shooting.

Autofocus and Burst Performance: Tracking Your Moving Subjects

Autofocus and continuous shooting speeds often define usability beyond still image quality - important for wildlife, sports, or even street photography.

The Olympus SZ-31MR offers contrast-detection autofocus with face detection and autofocus tracking, although note it lacks specialized animal eye-detection found in newer models. Its continuous shooting tops out at 7 fps, which is respectable for a compact from its time.

Sony HX5 uses a contrast-detection AF system but without face detection, relying on a 9-point AF array and center-weighted metering. Its burst rate reaches up to 10 fps, slightly faster than Olympus.

From my experience testing continuous AF and burst shooting on both, neither camera excels in high-speed tracking. The Olympus’s face detection gave a decent edge in portrait situations, ensuring the subject’s face remained sharp. However, the Sony’s lack of such features made it occasionally hunt for focus under challenging when moving subjects were involved.

In outdoor wildlife tests, the Olympus permitted a more confident lock and refocus but did not overcome the fundamental lag of contrast AF in small sensor compacts.

On sports or action photography, neither fully satisfies demanding users but the Sony’s higher frame rate could capture brief moments better if precise focus isn’t critical.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized. Both are constructed from quality plastics designed for casual use rather than professional abuse.

The Olympus SZ-31MR weighs a bit more owing to its longer lens assembly but feels solid for its class, with a durable hinge for the fixed screen. The Sony HX5 is smaller and lighter, as mentioned, but feels more fragile under stressing conditions.

For travel, careful handling is a must for both, but I have found the Olympus’s slightly thicker body better equipped to distribute handling stress and lens extension wear.

Display and User Interface: Your Window and Control Hub

Both cameras feature a fixed 3-inch LCD screen, but the technological approach differs.

Olympus uses a HyperCrystal III TFT color LCD with a sharp resolution of 920k dots, offering bright, vivid and detailed previews even in strong daylight. This touchscreen implementation further aids in navigating menus and focusing.

Sony’s screen, by contrast, has a modest 230k dot resolution and lacks touchscreen functionality, making it dimmer and less crisp for live view composition and playback review. This difference is quite noticeable, especially outdoors.

In terms of intuitive operation, Olympus’s touchscreen enhances usability, particularly for those upgrading from smartphone photography.

Lens Capabilities: Zoom Range and Aperture Impact on Creativity

Probably the most immediately striking difference is the zoom reach. Olympus’s 25-600mm equivalent (24x zoom) is an extraordinary range for a compact camera, edging into serious telephoto territory good for wildlife or distant subjects.

Sony’s 25-250mm equivalent (10x zoom) is less ambitious but still suits many everyday scenarios well, with a modest maximum aperture range of f/3.5 to f/5.5 (Olympus is slightly brighter at wide angle f/3.0).

For macro, Olympus impresses with a 1cm focusing distance - enabling close-ups with superb magnification. Sony’s closest focus is 5cm, still usable but less dramatic.

Image stabilization differs by type: Olympus uses sensor-shift (motion sensor stabilization), while Sony deploys optical stabilization directly in the lens. Both work well to reduce camera shake but the sensor-shift can be more effective at longer focal lengths.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Wins Your Next Vlog?

For many users, video performance is increasingly important.

The Olympus SZ-31MR shoots Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, encoding in MPEG-4/H.264 - standard but solid for its generation. It also offers 720p and lower resolutions.

Sony HX5 bumps this up slightly with AVCHD 1080p recording at 60fps, useful for smooth video capture. However, the camera doesn't support external microphones or headphones on either model, limiting audio quality control.

Stabilization works during video on both, but the Olympus’s sensor-shift system gives noticeably steadier footage, especially when zoomed in tightly.

Neither camera offers 4K recording, slow motion, or advanced video features - no surprise as they were early superzoom compacts.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Battery endurance on these cameras is modest. Olympus’s SZ-31MR runs on a LI-50B battery rated for approximately 200 shots per charge, typical for early compact superzooms with power-hungry lenses.

Sony HX5’s battery life isn’t specified but generally similar, powered by the NP-BG1 battery.

Both cameras use a single memory card slot: Olympus supports SD/SDHC/SDXC, Sony uses Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo by default but optionally accepts SD/SDHC with adapter.

For extended travel or shooting, carrying spare batteries is recommended in both cases.

Connectivity Features: Sharing and GPS

Connectivity-wise, the Olympus SZ-31MR is Eye-Fi Enabled, meaning it can use compatible wireless SD cards to transfer images over Wi-Fi, which was innovative at the time. No Bluetooth or NFC on either camera.

Sony HX5 includes built-in GPS, useful for geotagging shots when traveling, which the Olympus lacks.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports for direct output.

Detailed Performance and Use Case Summary

When I compiled overall performance ratings from extended lab and field tests, the Olympus edges out slightly for image quality and zoom versatility, while Sony offers simpler controls and faster burst shooting.

Let’s break down how each camera fits various photographic genres based on my real-world use:

• Portrait Photography: Olympus’s face detection and higher resolution benefit skin tone rendering and sharp eye focus. Olympus wins here.
• Landscape Photography: Both lack weather sealing and large sensors, but Olympus’s higher resolution and wider aperture at wide focal length help in daylight landscapes.
• Wildlife Photography: Olympus’s 600mm equivalent lens with IS and tracking AF offers better reach, though AF speed limits fast action capturing.
• Sports Photography: Sony’s faster burst rate helps in capture speed, but Olympus’s better tracking edges it just ahead.
• Street Photography: Sony’s smaller profile and lighter weight aid discretion, but its slower AF can cost crucial moments.
• Macro Photography: Olympus’s 1cm minimum focus distance delivers superior close-up potential.
• Night/Astro Photography: Both struggle with noise due to small sensors, though Olympus’s lower ISO starts and better processing are a modest advantage.
• Video: Sony’s 60fps 1080p and AVCHD codec are preferable for smooth quality video.
• Travel Photography: Balance here is close - Olympus’s better zoom and display vs Sony’s compactness and GPS.
• Professional Work: Neither suited for heavy professional workflows lacking raw support, key manual controls, or rugged bulbs.

Who Should Buy Which?

If you want a compact camera pushing boundaries in zoom reach and image detail, especially for wildlife, travel zoom, or close-up shooting, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a versatile choice. The touchscreen, superior display, and sophisticated image stabilization enhance the experience.

If you prioritize lightweight portability, faster frame rates, and smoother 1080p60 video with built-in GPS for location tagging, plus a lower price point, the Sony HX5 remains a reasonable option.

Conclusion: Practical Takeaways from My Camera Tests

Though both cameras are models from the early 2010s, they still hold valuable lessons in superzoom compact design, performance trade-offs, and user experience. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS stands out for zoom prowess, image quality, and touch interface - an excellent travel and wildlife companion if you don’t mind a slightly bigger body. The Sony HX5 appeals to those wanting quicker shooting, decent all-rounder images, and video with the convenience of GPS.

Neither camera competes at modern mirrorless or smartphone levels but both demonstrate how thoughtful engineering in compact cameras can address diverse photographic needs.

Ultimately, your choice depends on what matters most: zoom and detail (Olympus), or speed and convenience (Sony). Whichever you pick, expect a fun camera that stretches the limits of compact superzoom photography.

Ready for your next compact superzoom adventure? Whether you lean towards Olympus’s long reach or Sony’s nimble handling, both deliver the approachable versatility to grow your photography skills.