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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 front
Portability
91
Imaging
45
Features
67
Overall
53

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 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
  • Revealed February 2012
Sony HX99
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3-inch Sensor
  • 3.00" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 242g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released September 2018
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is relatively similar but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) come with different sensor sizing.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 7 years prior to the HX99 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up against the HX99 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony HX99

 SZ-31MR iHS HX99 

Reasons to pick Sony HX99 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 HX99 SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedSeptember 2018February 2012More modern by 79 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX99

 SZ-31MR iHS HX99 
Screen sizing3"3.00"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features physical 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 HX99 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony HX99 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the HX99.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and HX99 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The picture underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and HX99.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX99 will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Portrait photography with Sony HX99
34
MP count good (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
53
manual focus
MP count decent (18MP)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography factors
Sony HX99 Street photography factors
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (226g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
77
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (242 grams)
small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX99 as a Sports photography camera
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
58
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (360 shots)
small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography highlights
Sony HX99 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
supports focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (200 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
76
good battery pack (360 shots)
lighter than competition in class (242 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography features
Sony HX99 Landscape photography features
41
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery (200 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
58
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3.00")
has image stabilization
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (360 CIPA)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3-inch)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony HX99 Vlogging highlights
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing microphone socket
76
really wide (24mm)
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (242g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no external mic support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony HX99 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony HX99
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-08 2018-09-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3-inch
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.00 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 638k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.5x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p, 120p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 242 gr (0.53 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 360 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $0 $469