Clicky

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 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
  • Launched February 2012
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Older Model is Sony WX350
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The SZ-31MR iHS was revealed 4 years earlier than the WX500 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ-31MR iHS scores against the WX500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Sony WX500

 SZ-31MR iHS WX500 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 WX500 SZ-31MR iHS 
ReleasedApril 2015February 2012Fresher by 38 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k920kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony WX500

 SZ-31MR iHS WX500 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has outside dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony WX500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS and the WX500.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-31MR iHS and WX500 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-31MR iHS and WX500.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony WX500 to resolve extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively. The older SZ-31MR iHS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Portrait photography information
Sony WX500 Portrait photography information
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
39
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
offers face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography features
Sony WX500 Street photography features
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competition (226g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (236 grams)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (226g)
supports focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
71
great battery pack (360 CIPA)
lighter than others (236g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography information
Sony WX500 Landscape photography information
41
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
49
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
great battery pack (360 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Vlogging advice
Sony WX500 Vlogging advice
35
quite wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external microphone jack
35
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (236g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Sony WX500
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-02-08 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Dual TruePic V Bionz X
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias 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
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.30 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash settings 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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226g (0.50 pounds) 236g (0.52 pounds)
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 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 shots 360 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $0 $348