• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Canon SX280 HS

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 500 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Canon SX280 HS advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S9100

Olympus SZ-31MR
Nikon S9100
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Nikon S9100

Canon SX280 HS
Nikon S9100
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Nikon S9100

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Canon SX280 HS
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Compared to Canon SX260 HS

Olympus SZ-31MR
Canon SX260 HS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Canon SX260 HS

Canon SX280 HS
Canon SX260 HS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $480
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Canon SX260 HS

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-15
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Olympus SZ-15

Canon SX280 HS
Olympus SZ-15
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SH-50
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Olympus SH-50

Canon SX280 HS
Olympus SH-50
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Canon SX280 HS vs Olympus SH-50

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