Fujifilm X20 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Fujifilm X20 and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Fujifilm X20 was introduced in April 2013 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS was introduced in February 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Fujifilm X20 over Olympus SZ-31MR iHS.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over Fujifilm X20.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Fujifilm X20 has a 2.80" screen with 460k dot resolution and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has a 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Olympus SZ-31MR iHS also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Olympus SZ-31MR iHS) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Optical (tunnel) Viewfinder on Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X20 has a built-in Optical (tunnel) viewfinder. It has a 85% coverage. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Olympus SZ-31MR iHS.

Fujifilm X20 features a 12 megapixel 2/3-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 8.8 x 6.6 mm and a total area of 58.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800. Olympus SZ-31MR iHS features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 6,400.

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Fujifilm X20 is equipped with EXR Processor II processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2664, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1864, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1536 x 1536 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Olympus SZ-31MR iHS is equipped with Dual TruePic V processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3264 x 2448, 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Fujifilm X20 has a Mini HDMI and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has a Type D HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Fujifilm X20 comes with NP-50 battery pack with battery life of 270 shots and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS comes with LI-50B battery pack with battery life of 200 shots.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Fujifilm X20, and up to 1/1700 sec on Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. Fujifilm X20 can shoot continuously up to 12.0 fps. Olympus SZ-31MR iHS can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 7.00 m on Fujifilm X20 and 9.30 m on Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. Fujifilm X20 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/1000 sec on Fujifilm X20.

Fujifilm X20 body has dimensions of 117 x 70 x 57 mm (4.61 x 2.76 x 2.24") and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS body has dimensions of 106 x 69 x 40 mm (4.17 x 2.72 x 1.57"). Fujifilm X20 weighs 353 g (0.78 lb / 12.45 oz) and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS weighs 226 g (0.50 lb / 7.97 oz).

Fujifilm X20

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

117 mm

70 mm

106 mm

69 mm

70 mm

69 mm

57 mm

40 mm