Olympus SZ-31MR 16.0 Megapixel Advanced Compact Reviews Roundup
Olympus today announces the SZ-31MR long-ranged compact SuperZoom cameras with a 24x (25-600mm equivalent) lens. The camera makes up for the blur likely at the far end of its zoom both by using a 16 Megapixels BSI (backside-illuminated) CMOS sensor and two separate TruePic V image processors (originally developed for DSLR cameras) that give it better low-light performance on top of improving camera speed and image processing.
Like its predecessor SZ-30MR, the SZ-31MR iHS incorporates Multi-Recording functionality that simultaneously captures 1080p HD Video and 16 Megapixels still images. It also comes with a new touch panel LCD and the new iHS (Intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed) technologies that capture excellent images and videos in the most challenging backlit and low light conditions. Combined with 10fps High-Speed Sequential Shooting and high-speed autofocus, iHS reduces picture noise and enhances resolution and color gradation despite fast-moving subjects, night scenes and other tricky shots. The SZ-31MR iHS comes with 3.0-inch 920,000-dot LCD, 12 Magic Art Filters, and Full HD 1080p Video. The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will be available in late April for $399.99 in Silver and Black colors.
Olympus SZ-31MR Camera Reviews Roundup
| Digital Camera Info: "The Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is a competent, feature-rich travel-zoom, but too few improvements have been made since the SZ-30 to earn our complete recommendation. Given this model's problems with sharpness, distortion, and noise reduction, we think $400 is too much for the resulting image quality. Noise is a separate issue, but as for sharpness and chromatic aberration, it's no secret why this is happening. If you frequ..." - Jun 30 2012 More » | |
| LetsGoDigital: "Just like its predecessor, the Olympus SZ-31MR has a Multi Recording (MR) function. The MR-function makes it possible to make a 1080p Full HD video recording and simultaneously capture 16 Megapixel photos. You take a photo with a tap on the screen, while recording. This way you can also change the focal point, the shutter speed and the zoom factor, all without interrupting the video recording. Additionally, the Olym..." - May 28 2012 More » | |
| ePhotoZine: "In landscape mode, the camera is capable of excellent colour reproduction, with superb blues and greens. Portraits are free of red-eye when using the flash but skin-tones aren't the best. Sport mode has been used to gain a fast shutter speed to capture the water drops. The SZ-31MR delivers well exposed images, with excellent colour reproduction and purple fringing barely noticeable. Detail is good in the centre of t..." - May 17 2012 More » |
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User Review of the camera - Olympus SZ-31MR
Great Value-- A Lot of Camera for the Money, Booker Looker
Takes great pictures. This camera has everything I was looking for-- long zoom, good for close shots, not too heavy/bulky, HD video capability and much more. I also like that it uses lithium battery. I've had negative experiences with rechargeable AA type batteries, even the pricey ones. The li battery on this camera lasts and lasts. Feels good in my hands; just the right combination of functionality and carry-ability. This is my 3rd Olympus camera and I've been more than satisfied with all of them.
Sold a gray market camera., Dan - Handyman Business Owner
I was sold a gray market camera. The charger cord was the 240 volt European style and Olympus USA was not able to match the S/N for a USA warranty. I contacted Amazon and Preetham said "While we shipped your order, the inventory was provided to us by a seller, and I'm not able to send you a replacement."
I would probably like the camera more if I could charge the battery to use it!
wrong color, Sundee Jacobson
i guess i should have read the reviews regarding gregory electronics (the vendor) before ordering - i have no idea if the camera is any good or not, my mom really likes her black one, so i ordered the silver one - i know color doesn't make a lot of difference, but when you pay good money for something you want it to be what you ordered - i have read a lot about this camera and i really like what it can do...it appears to do just about everything you need without having to go the slr route - i especially liked the ability to take video and stills at the same time - the touchscreen panel and the zoom.
Compact , fast, clear sharp pictures, Dano
I love this little camera, and it did not require the long learning curve of a full body digital SLR. Great telephoto shots od my house projects, and really convenient to pull out to get sudden nature shots too
Solid camera, excellent mix of features and manual overrides, great video., NWLB
I needed a camera with strong optical zoom, that could take decent lower light photos on cruises, about the neighaborhood, and sometimes pinch-hit with video. This is my second camera from Olympus, the last being a 1996 D-500L. (Which still works and for a .85 mega pixel unit does very well.) The optical zoom is quick. The ability to get around auto-focus and tap the video screen is one feature I consider key to enjoying it. Where some cameras struggle to focus, this one is able to lock onto whatever I touch, if it is stuck at all. The dial for primary modes is handy and prevents the need to deal with the menu most of the time. The secondary rotary dial helps speed through secondary menus and such. The video quality was surprisingly good, and though I will continue to use my dedicated camcorder for most video needs, this one provides an alternative I don't feel any hesitation to use. The ability to instantly start video recording from a secondary button is excellent. The burst photo modes are handy and work well. I can use this camera and have confidence that if I hit the shutter button the photo is there. There is some lag with displaying the results, however you quickly learn to ignore the lag and just shoot pictures. The camera is fast and powerful enough that you do not need to worry, you just shoot. Put a 16 GB SD card into this camera and just fire away. I found myself taking far more photos that turned out vastly better than a 10 mega pixel Kodak I replaced with this device.
No, this isn't as tiny as some pocket cameras nor as connected as phones. But if you seriously need to have why tiny cameras or phones are lousy for even slightly thoughtful photography, you don't need this camera or to read this review. I would buy this camera with high confidence, even some of the lesser models in the line. Though in this case, you get all features. I can see this camera working hard for fully three or four years.
Don't recommend this camera, Patty Terry
The SZ-31MR is noticably heavy. In addition, when this camera arrived, it was missing the USB cable for downloading pictures. I'm still trying to resolve the issue.
ok, Adilson Carlini de Araujo
I like Olympus SZ-31MR 16MP CMOS Camera with 24x Wide-Angle Zoom and 3-inch... arrived in time correct and I am very happy!
Great Product!, Minzy
This is one of a kind camera. You can take video and pictures simultaneously and with so many features and functionality that you cannot find in other camera and yet it is easy to use. The quality of the combined pictures (16M) and videos (1080p) resolutions can be achieve clearly in single shooting. Very handy as no need to have a separate camera and videocam to take in any occasion. Wow, I'm amazed of this product. I believe Olympus set a standards for all camera with multiple recording features and functionality.
Love this camera! #Amazing, Alexandra
I love this camera. I just got it today #Christmas and I have fallen in love with this camera. So far the features are great and work great. The only feature I have not figured out yet is the high speed sequential shooting thing. I just never got the time to try to figure it out. But I kind of need to figure it out for cheerleading and gymnastics. Any ways I love this camera; great zoom; amazing in lower light; good features!!!! I would really recoment this to any one that does like nature pictures because this is good with taking in all of the beauitiful color. This is also for the people that do sports and take videos of themselves to make sure that they got the routine or stunt. Guilty of that ;) All around great!
Great camera, Kimberly
I bought this for my husband and he absolutely loved it. He did reluctantly return it because it didn't have the HDR features he was needing, but otherwise an awesome camera.
Very nice camera....!!! <3, Claudiasagas
I bought it for my husband(not an expert) but he loves it, I can't afford nothing else but this one has everything what he needs... Just a little sound nothing out of this world
Novice who didn't spring for the DSLR, vandagal
I am enjoying the camera very much. I am a mother of 3 and a teacher. I contemplated getting a DSLR Nikon or Canon as that is what most of my friends use. However, I have limited "learning time" and came aross this camera as it was a lightning deal on Amazon. I ordered it after reading the reviews, thinking I could return it if it was a lemon. I am so glad I took the chance. I see that this camera has many of the same features as a DSLR just in a smaller and easier to handle package. I am just getting acquainted with the basics but I am also learning how to adjust things manually by getting on Pinterest and looking up things like "white balance" and "ISO". I think I'm going to get a lot of use out of this little camera. The pics. I have taken so far of my kids and pets are above and beyond my expectations. I had a little compact digital camera from Panaaonic before and this one blows it out of the water! If you are looking to move forward in technology but don't want to lug around a larger DSLR (or spend massive amounts of time learning how to use it), this camera just might be for you.
Great specs..hard to hold, sance
Love the specs and features, but the big negative is the size. I have medium size hands and the camera is a hard to hold.
I would not buy this camera if I had been able to hold it. I would opt for a larger dlr. I have a full size dslr but it's too heavy.
I need to find a happy medium.
Great "all in one", E. Carter
I have had several Olympus cameras and had good luck with all of them. Received the SZ-31MR just before a trip to Victoria, BC in September. Beautiful weather and the city was still green with lots of flowers. This trip was really a great opportunity to test the versatility of the camera, macro for the flowers, various wide angle and telephoto for harbor scenes, legislative house by day and night, scenery pictures from a drive in the mountains, etc. etc. September is a beautiful time of the year to visit Victoria by the way. I tried out the "hand-held starlight" with impressive results. Obviously the results are better if the camera is supported, but did get some great night shots of lit buildings, street markets, etc. Impressed with the versatility of the camera, optical zoom is very impressive for something this small and light, even digital zoom is good in day light. For a fit in your pocket, light weight, pretty much do it all camera, I can't think of a better one. I have also used the "pet mode" to get some great pictures of our dogs!
Really love this camera, Zen Dinh "Zen337"
I really love this camera, it did an excellent job in taking pictures and recording video in HD. The video recording came out even better than my other sony hdr-cx210 camcorder.Colors produce much better, i got a $50 rebate when it just came out.
OLYMPUS SZ-31MR CAMERA, F FULLER
This is my first Olympus Camera. It is a nice beginners,And user friendly with very nice features i will really enjoy it and learning to use all the function.I REALLY IT. F FULLER, NC
Doesn't quite do what it claims!, magnetman
Very Disappointed with product. Can't shoot still photos with video in Hi-res (1080P 60). When using Hi-Res (IAuto Setting) the flash does not engage! Too many querks with this camera. Don't believe what Olympus video shows! Left several emails and received no responses to my questions. Gave it 2 stars because it does take nice pictures but could have been much better if the features shown in their video were obtained in an easier manner (if they really work at all)! Still don't understand how the auto flash does not go off in an auto setting within a totally dark room! Owner's Manual is not printed and does not provide enough info online. Save your money!
Update.....Flash would not fire in Iauto setting even though the camera set to automatic flash. Went into a totally darken room where I could not see my hand in front of my face and the flash would still not fire! Spoke to technical support and they told me the camera was defected and it would take up to two months to get it back!!! Amazon was nice enough to take the camera back and offer a full refund!
Love this camera, Suzan
Just got it went out took pics. all the magic senes are great. I just know I'm going to have fun with this camera. FYI: Order an extra battery at least one. It uses the battery very fast with I guess all the features. I did and an extra charger both are inexpensive on amazon. The charger that comes with the camera has to plug in through the camera. The charger I got for extra battery just goes in charger much easier esp. if u were using one while charging the other. Love the camera. Hope this helps.