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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V front
Portability
89
Imaging
44
Features
57
Overall
49

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V 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
  • Announced February 2012
Sony HX50V
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5 - 6.3) lens
  • 272g - 108 x 64 x 38mm
  • Released April 2013
  • Replaced the Sony HX30V
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the HX50V (20MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 14 months prior to the HX50V which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades versus the HX50V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony HX50V

 SZ-31MR iHS HX50V 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX50V over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 HX50V SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedApril 2013February 2012More recent by 14 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX50V

 SZ-31MR iHS HX50V 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS offers physical measurements 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 HX50V has specifications of 108mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") with a weight of 272 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V 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 utilizing at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the HX50V.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and HX50V is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The photograph below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and HX50V.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony HX50V to result in more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SZ-31MR iHS will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography features
Sony HX50V Portrait photography features
34
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
offers face detect autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Street photography with Sony HX50V
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus by touch
lighter than others (226g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (272g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sports photography factors
Sony HX50V Sports photography factors
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (400 shots)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
Sony HX50V Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than others (226 grams)
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low battery (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
better than average battery (400 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (272g)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX50V as a Landscape photography camera
41
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
53
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
better than average battery (400 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging details
Sony HX50V Vlogging details
35
fairly wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic support
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (272g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5 )
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic socket
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX50V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX50V
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX50V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-02-08 2013-04-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 2920
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5 - 6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD XtraFine LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1700s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 272g (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 108 x 64 x 38mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
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 photos 400 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $0 $439