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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 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
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Revealed September 2018
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Zeiss. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") and ZX1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The SZ-31MR iHS was introduced 7 years before the ZX1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera and the Zeiss ZX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ-31MR iHS matches up vs the ZX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Zeiss ZX1

 SZ-31MR iHS ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 ZX1 SZ-31MR iHS 
RevealedSeptember 2018February 2012More modern by 80 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k920kSharper display (+1845k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Zeiss ZX1

 SZ-31MR iHS ZX1 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS enjoys external measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ-31MR iHS against the ZX1.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-31MR iHS and ZX1 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-31MR iHS and ZX1.

As you can see, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ-31MR iHS using its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will deliver greater detail using its extra 21MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SZ-31MR iHS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
87
manual focus
excellent MP (37 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography details
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers touch to focus
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
71
screen articulates
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
44
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent MP (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
67
lighter than others in class (226 grams)
offers touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
65
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
excellent MP (37MP)
good maximum aperture (f2)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Landscape photography camera
41
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
bad battery power (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
70
manual focus
good maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inches)
excellent MP (37MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Vlogging camera
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (800g)
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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-31MR iHS and Zeiss ZX1
 Olympus SZ-31MR iHSZeiss ZX1
General Information
Company Olympus Zeiss
Model Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Zeiss ZX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-02-08 2018-09-27
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic V -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 37MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7488 x 4992
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 255
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2-22
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 4.34"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.30 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC 512GB internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 -