Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230
89 Imaging
39 Features
47 Overall
42


95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(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
- Launched February 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Announced February 2009

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Overview
Its time to look a bit more closely at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W230, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and W230 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ-31MR iHS was launched 3 years after the W230 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades vs the W230 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony W230
SZ-31MR iHS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More modern by 37 months |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+690k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
W230 | SZ-31MR iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W230
SZ-31MR iHS | W230 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS comes with external dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check out the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W230 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the W230.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and W230 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The picture here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and W230.
Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer SZ-31MR iHS will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W230 Specifications
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus SZ-31MR iHS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2012-02-08 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual TruePic V | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 9 |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/2.8-5.8 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 4cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 1 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1700 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 7.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 9.30 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 226 gr (0.50 pounds) | 156 gr (0.34 pounds) |
Dimensions | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 pictures | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | LI-50B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $0 | $180 |