• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Olympus E-M10

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    19 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus SZ-31MR

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M10
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
All E-M10 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.

  • Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.

  • Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

The Competition

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

Olympus E-M10
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

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

Olympus E-M10
Olympus SZ-15
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus E-M10 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

Olympus E-M10
Olympus SH-50
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus SH-50

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus SZ-31MR
Panasonic GX7
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GX7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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