• 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 - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Panasonic FZ300

  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 117 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    226g vs 724g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic FZ300 advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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 380 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
    12.3 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Panasonic FZ300
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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Improved ergonomics; Impressive new EVF and rear display; Versatile 24-600mm equivalent f/2.8 lens; Faster autofocus performance; 4K video and 4K Photo features.

  • Bulky camera body; Excessive default noise reduction applied at lower ISOs; Continuous autofocus performance is inconsistent.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ300 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

Panasonic FZ300
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Olympus SZ-30MR

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Olympus SZ-31MR
Panasonic FZ200
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Panasonic FZ200

Panasonic FZ300
Panasonic FZ200
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Panasonic FZ200

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

Panasonic FZ300
Olympus SZ-15
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic FZ300 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

Panasonic FZ300
Olympus SH-50
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Olympus SH-50

Compared to Fujifilm S8200

Olympus SZ-31MR
Fujifilm S8200
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Fujifilm S8200

Panasonic FZ300
Fujifilm S8200
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Fujifilm S8200

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