• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX500 advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.68 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX500

  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 125 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    5 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD880 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Canon SD880 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Canon SD880 IS

Olympus SZ-31MR
Canon SD880 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Canon SD880 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Olympus SZ-31MR
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Canon SD980 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs Canon SD980 IS

Olympus SZ-31MR
Canon SD980 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs 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

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Olympus SZ-15
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FX500 vs 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

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