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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 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
  • Announced February 2012
Sony WX50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony WX50, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the WX50 (16MP) is fairly close and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-31MR iHS was announced very close to the WX50 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores versus the WX50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony WX50

 SZ-31MR iHS WX50 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k461kCrisper display (+459k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX50 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 WX50 SZ-31MR iHS 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony WX50

 SZ-31MR iHS WX50 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2012Same generation
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS enjoys outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony WX50 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony WX50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the WX50.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and WX50 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and WX50.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you will want to factor the release date of the cameras into account.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX50 Portrait photography highlights
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Street photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features touch to focus
lighter than competition (226 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Sports photography with Sony WX50
44
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX50 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (226g)
features touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than competitors in class (117 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography highlights
Sony WX50 Landscape photography highlights
41
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Vlogging with Sony WX50
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone port
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (117g)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony WX50
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX50
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2012-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic V BIONZ
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 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 resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 920k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD Clearfoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1700s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.50 lbs) 117 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery style 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $250