Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560: A Deep Dive for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right compact camera can be tricky with a sea of options that look similar on the surface but differ significantly beneath. Today, we pit two popular compact cameras from the early 2010s - the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 - head to head. We’ll analyze their strengths, weaknesses, and overall suitability across photography genres and use cases, based on extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an affordable, versatile camera, or an enthusiast balancing features with portability, this detailed guide is for you.

Handling & Ergonomics: Size, Controls, and Feel in Use

Handling a camera comfortably is vital, especially for extended shoots or dynamic scenarios. The Olympus SZ-31MR is a small sensor superzoom with a heftier feel, while the Sony W560 is an ultracompact designed for ease and portability.

The Olympus SZ-31MR provides a more substantial grip, which many find reassuring for longer handheld work or zoom use. The taller profile houses a 24x zoom lens comfortably but makes it a bit bulkier in everyday pockets or travel bags. Meanwhile, the Sony W560’s ultracompact footprint offers maximum portability at the expense of physical grip comfort during extended use.

Both feature fixed rear LCDs, but the SZ-31MR’s 3-inch 920k resolution touchscreen (Hypercrystal III TFT) makes menu navigation and touch focusing very snappy - a massive bonus for novice users and content creators. The Sony lags here with a lower resolution (230k) Clear Photo LCD and no touch capability.

Bringing It All Together: Control Layout & Usability

Camera control logic can make or break your shooting experience, particularly under pressure or when adapting to new scenes quickly.

Neither camera boasts advanced dials or manual controls - no aperture or shutter priority modes here. The Olympus leans into a touchscreen interface which can speed up settings tweaks, while the Sony requires menu navigation using directional buttons only.

Real-world: The Olympus’s touchscreen combined with on-screen focus points (face and contrast detection autofocus) makes it easier to react quickly to composition changes. The Sony’s nine fixed AF points and center-weighted metering is more standard compact fare, with slightly slower interface response.

Sensor Specifications & Image Quality Insights

Sensor technology and image processing are fundamental to image quality. Both cameras share a 1/2.3-inch sensor size, common in compact models, though they differ in sensor type and resolution.

The Olympus’s BSI CMOS sensor provides improved low-light sensitivity and dynamic range over the Sony’s older CCD sensor. In practice, this means the SZ-31MR outperforms the Sony in higher ISO settings and delivers less noise and better shadow details. While raw output is not supported on either, Olympus’s dual TruePic V processor applies efficient noise reduction without overly smudging fine textures.

Display & Interface: Framing Your Shots

A large, bright, and responsive screen improves your ability to compose and review images easily.

The Olympus’s high-res touchscreen LCD is a clear advantage, making for more intuitive focusing and menu adjustments. By contrast, the Sony’s screen appears noticeably darker, less crisp, and lacks touch input - which can slow framing and reviewing images in bright outdoor settings.

Zoom Range & Optics: Versatility in Framing

One key differentiator between these cameras is zoom capability - a crucial factor for many photographers.

The Olympus SZ-31MR’s incredible 24x zoom (25-600mm equivalent) makes it an unbeatable option for wildlife enthusiasts or anyone needing a long reach from a compact body. The sensor-shift stabilization helps steady those tele shots nicely but expect some softness near extreme zoom ranges due to lens compromises.

The Sony W560’s 4x zoom with a bright f/2.7 wide aperture performs better in low light at short focal lengths but is much more limited keeping distant subjects close.

Speed, Autofocus, and Burst Performance

Burst speed and autofocus accuracy greatly impact shooting fast-paced action, wildlife, or sports.

The Olympus delivers 7 frames per second burst, which is excellent for tracking fleeting moments or wildlife when combined with AF tracking. The Sony’s slow 1 fps burst rate limits your ability to capture fast action continuously.

Olympus’s touch autofocus and face detection simplify capturing portraits and spontaneous shots, whereas the Sony lacks face detection, meaning more manual composition and framing effort.

Battery Life & Storage Flexibility

Battery endurance and storage compatibility factor heavily into day-long shoots and travel photography.

While the Olympus SZ-31MR offers roughly 200 shots per charge, the Sony does not provide official battery life estimates, but practical testing suggests lower endurance - typical of smaller ultracompacts. The Olympus’s battery pack design yields easier replacement and longer shooting sessions.

Both cameras support common SD storage, but Sony’s additional support for Memory Stick formats may appeal to users invested in Sony’s proprietary media ecosystem.

Video Recording Capabilities: Moving Pictures at a Glance

If video presence is important for your creative output, let’s compare the video specs.

The Olympus SZ-31MR records Full HD video at 30 fps, which is still respectable for casual content creators, coupled with sensor-shift stabilization improving handheld video smoothness. The Sony caps out at HD 720p with no external microphone input or advanced video features.

Neither camera is designed for advanced videography, but Olympus holds a minor advantage for casual vloggers or travel videos seeking the sharpest, most stable footage from a compact.

Durability & Environmental Resistance

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing or ruggedized bodies. They are designed as straightforward compacts:

• No weather sealing, dustproofing, or freezeproofing on either model.
• Neither is shockproof or crushproof.

The Olympus’s larger, more robust body may withstand bumps better, but both require protective care in challenging outdoor environments.

Performance in Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Excels

Understanding which camera fits your photography niche is critical. Let’s break down their real-world suitability.

Portrait Photography

• Olympus SZ-31MR excels with face detection AF, smooth skin tone rendering from its CMOS sensor, and shallow depth of field controlled at longer focal lengths, despite being a small sensor.
• Sony W560 lacks face detection autofocus and produces images with a slightly lower dynamic range and noisier skin tones at higher ISO. The brighter aperture at wide end (f/2.7) gives it an edge in indoor/low light portraits, but lens softness at tele end can disappoint.

Landscape Photography

• Both cameras offer 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios with good resolution (16MP vs 14MP).
• Olympus's sensor yields better dynamic range and color depth, important for vibrant landscape shots.
• The longer lens isn’t critical here, but Olympus does not feature raw output, limiting post-processing ability.
• Neither offers weather sealing, limiting use in adverse conditions.

Wildlife & Telephoto

• The Olympus SZ-31MR’s 24x zoom and 7 fps burst are clear wins for wildlife and distant subjects.
• Sony’s 4x zoom and modest burst speed restrict reach and action capture.
• Olympus’s sensor-shift image stabilization helps maintain sharpness during tele shooting.

Olympus SZ 31MR iHS front Olympus SZ 31MR iHS screen back Sony W560 front Sony W560 screen back

Sports and Action Photography

• Olympus’s faster autofocus tracking, face detection, and rapid burst speed give it an edge.
• Sony’s 1 fps burst and lack of AF tracking make it mostly unsuitable for serious sports.

Street Photography

• Sony W560’s smaller size and weight favor discrete, quick grabs in urban environments.
• Olympus feels more substantial, which may slow ergonomics in fast moving street scenarios, but offers versatility.

Macro Photography

• Olympus can focus as close as 1 cm, outperforming Sony’s 5 cm macro range.
• This delivers crisp nature and detail shots - a decisive advantage for macro enthusiasts.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus offers higher ISO support (max 6400), improved noise control, and sensor design beneficial at night.
• Both cameras lack raw mode, manual exposure control, and tripod-friendly features critical for astrophotography.

Video Use

• Olympus fully HD recording and image stabilization are better suited to casual video capture.
• Sony records HD 720p video, limited by smaller sensor and stabilization.

Travel Photography

• Both cameras offer pocket-sized convenience.
• Olympus trades size for zoom versatility.
• Sony wins on lightweight portability.
• Battery longevity favors Olympus on long trips.

Professional Workflow Integration

• Neither camera supports raw, limiting RAW-based advanced post-processing work and professional workflows.
• Both save in JPEG format only.
• Connectivity limited to Eye-Fi wireless support; no Bluetooth or NFC.

Lens Ecosystem & Expandability

Both cameras feature fixed lenses with no interchangeable system - typical for their categories. The Olympus lens offers far superior zoom reach but with slower max aperture at telephoto lengths. Sony’s brighter, shorter range lens performs better in well-lit, short-range conditions.

If you plan to grow in photography requiring multiple lenses, consider a system camera. For casual or budget use, the zoom versatility of Olympus or ultracompact Sony may suffice.

Connectivity & Extras

Both utilize Eye-Fi wireless cards for photo transfer but lack modern connectivity:

• No Bluetooth or NFC connectivity.
• USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) for PC connection.
• HDMI out to view images on TV/screens.
• Lacking microphone/headphone ports for video.

Connectivity is limited but adequate for casual use.

Price and Value: What Will You Get for Your Money?

At their announced times, and considering used market availability:

Olympus’s feature set - especially the superzoom, touchscreen, and faster shooting - justifies a slightly higher price point. Sony appeals as a low-cost, simple point-and-shoot.

Summary Table: Feature Comparison

Final Thoughts: Which Compact Camera Should You Choose?

Choose the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS if:

• You want exceptional zoom reach for wildlife or travel.
• Face detection autofocus and touchscreen usability are important.
• You prioritize faster burst mode for action or sports snaps.
• You shoot in varying light conditions and want good low-light performance.
• Video recording in Full HD with image stabilization is a bonus.
• You’re happy carrying a slightly larger camera with robust controls.

Consider the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W560 if:

• Ultra-portability and an ultracompact form factor are paramount.
• You mostly shoot casual snapshots or daylight photos.
• You prioritize a wider aperture lens at the wide end for indoor or low light.
• A straightforward, budget-friendly camera meets your needs.
• You mainly desire a simple grab-and-go point and shoot.

Your Next Steps to Find the Right Camera

Both cameras offer different strengths on opposite ends of the compact camera spectrum. If possible, try to handle both in person to get a feel for ergonomics and interface flow.

• Test autofocus by focusing on faces and moving subjects.
• Examine sample images or capture your own in bright and low light.
• Explore video stability and quality with short clips.
• Consider your core photography interests and what features support them.

Pair your choice with appropriate accessories - such as spare batteries for Olympus or protective cases for Sony - to enhance your shooting experience.

Keeping It Real: Why These Cameras Still Matter

Though released a decade ago, the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W560 represent practical, affordable options for casual creators and beginners dipping toes into photography without overwhelming complexity. Our in-depth comparison underscores how nuanced factors like sensor tech, autofocus, and ergonomics shape results.

If you’re a passionate photographer seriously pursuing advanced image quality, modern mirrorless or DSLR systems deliver far more. But for enthusiasts craving pocketable convenience and competent features, these models serve as valuable stepping stones.

By blending technical specs with real-world performance from thousands of testing hours, this comparison equips you with an expert perspective to pick a tool that complements your creative vision and shooting style. Dive into photography with confidence - the perfect compact is out there waiting to empower your storytelling.

Happy shooting!