Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Sony A55

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A55, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the A55 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and A55 (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced 18 months after the A55 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A55 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the SZ-31MR iHS grades versus the A55 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS & Sony SLT-A55. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery & Sony A55 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS comes with external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Sony A55 has specifications of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS versus Sony A55 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS versus the A55.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-31MR iHS and A55 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Quite often, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-31MR iHS and A55.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS comes with the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF harder. The fresher SZ-31MR iHS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.