• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF3X advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Panasonic GF3X

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $750 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k 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 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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 Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3X
Panasonic GF2
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Olympus SZ-31MR
Panasonic GF2
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Panasonic GF3X
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF3X
Olympus E-PM1
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus E-PM1
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3X
Panasonic GF5
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
Olympus SZ-31MR
Panasonic GF5
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic GF3X
Olympus SZ-15
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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 Other Cameras?