Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX5

The following is a comprehensive review of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony HX5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and HX5 (10MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and HX5 (1/2.4") have different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was released 21 months after the HX5 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up against the HX5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Sony HX5 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features 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) while the Sony HX5 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony HX5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the HX5.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and HX5 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Usually, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The image underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and HX5.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-31MR iHS due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will provide more detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher SZ-31MR iHS provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.