• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sigma SD1 Merrill advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 5.00 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1700 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Sigma SD1 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $2299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    226g vs 796g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • 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

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Sigma SD1 Merrill
Kit with 18-200mm lens
  • Kit with 18-200mm lens
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 17-50mm lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SZ-31MR

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon 50D

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Canon 50D
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Canon 50D

Olympus SZ-31MR
Canon 50D
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Canon 50D

Compared to Nikon D300S

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D300S
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D300S

Olympus SZ-31MR
Nikon D300S
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Nikon D300S

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill 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

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Olympus SZ-15
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill 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

Compared to Nikon D500

Sigma SD1 Merrill
Nikon D500
  • $8492
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Nikon D500

Olympus SZ-31MR
Nikon D500
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $1598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SZ-31MR vs Nikon D500

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