• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Olympus TG-820

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.9
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus TG-820 advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.55 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-610

Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus TG-610
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Olympus TG-820
Olympus TG-610
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

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
Olympus TG-820
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm XP170

Olympus SZ-31MR
Fujifilm XP170
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus TG-820
Fujifilm XP170
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

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
Olympus TG-820
Olympus SZ-15
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Olympus TG-820
Olympus SH-50
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Larger lens aperture
Compare Other Cameras?