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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
33
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 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 W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 Overview

Let's look closer at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W730, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the W730 (16MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was announced 11 months earlier than the W730 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades against the W730 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony W730

 SZ-31MR iHS W730 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 W730 SZ-31MR iHS 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2012More modern by 11 months

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W730

 SZ-31MR iHS W730 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has outer dimensions 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 W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W730 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS compared to the W730.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and W730 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through specifications. The picture below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-31MR iHS and W730.

To sum up, both cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you should expect similar quality of images but you have to consider the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography advice
Sony W730 Portrait photography advice
34
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony W730 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch focus
lighter than competition (122g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony W730 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Travel photography features
Sony W730 Travel photography features
67
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
comes with focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
71
lighter than competition (122 grams)
includes touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography advice
Sony W730 Landscape photography advice
41
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
39
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging information
Sony W730 Vlogging information
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
34
decently wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competition (122g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony W730
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 2s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 122 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $138