Due to the acquisition: As a complement to my DSLR, I always use a compact camera model. Since my current accessory (Canon PowerShot SX 200 IS) quite something comes in the year, I decided to various model comparisons, including a comprehensive test run with the Sony DSC HX10 VB, now final for the Olympus SZ-31 MR.
Delivery / Packaging: As usual rapid delivery via Amazon. Product packaging largely environmentally friendly, supplied as described.
First impression: I have chosen for the silver model. The device makes a high-quality, very solid impression. I would like to raise the positive forth in this price range rather unusual metal surface on the front, which is a real eye-catcher. This impression of quality is continuing in the various Schalträdern- and buttons. Not at this dignified processing but fits the extremely fragile Connector cover for USB and the HDMI connector: A thin plastic plate, hanging on a nearly even thinner plastic tapes. Here caution is needed when handling well.
Manual: The beige connected booklet describes in several languages, only the main features and also the only highly rudimentary. These instructions I call too meager. A detailed functional description is provided as a PDF on the CD supplied or available on the quite well-structured Olympus website.
Battery: Needs to be charged at the standard package in the device via USB cable. This can be done either with the supplied AC adapter or via the USB port of a computer. In order not to strain the rickety bush cover over fee I have to purchase a charger (foreign brand, because that offered by Olympus as an accessory model has an absurd inflated price) decided. The same applies for a replacement battery.
Photo quality: I tried several photo series both with the program setting P and with iAuto. The latter is a fully automatic, the. For me as a DSLR user who is accustomed to manual interventions as a photographer, in some areas can achieve surprisingly satisfactory results I enjoyed trying out the various options iAuto a lot of fun and the picture quality is quite attractive, albeit with the options that can provide a good set DSLR camera, not really comparable to the latter but I did neither expected nor required. Especially in the area of the fainter automatic switches to high ISO numbers and doing neither the fine structures of an image nor the noise performance well. From ISO 800 the end of the tolerance flagpole was reached for me. Moreover, it was too mushy for me. It is not quite at the mercy of the automatic, because the P mode allows in addition to a number of other settings händischer also the fixing of the ISO setting. At ISO 100 so photos come about that can make me quite happy. I was particularly impressed the almost incredible zoom range of 25 to 600 mm (according to the values of a camera). Following my playfulness were series of images throughout the entire zoom range, the result and I was surprised at the achievable results. An image with 600 mm focal length, shot from the free hand, the well was still watchable then, I would not have thought possible. With the many different types of cameras, such as the nice Magic filters or a number of scenes presets, I have dealt only marginally. You need these gimmicks do not really, but they do, as I discovered, quite fun. The built-in flash is above the lens and not, as with many other compact cameras, at the right top of the camera to compete with the forefinger of his left hand. This solution I find very good, because as an ambidextrous holding the camera in each photo location is no problem. The flash pops up after pressing a separate button and when it is no longer needed, manually push back to its waiting position. Depending on the program settings or P iAuto The flash fires then off automatically. In P and for example ISO 100, of course, much more often than in iAuto, because in this setting very high ISO values are permitted that do not make a flashlight essential. This, however, at the price of loss of quality of the image (noise, structural weaknesses).
Video (for me as a neo-grandfather of an adorable granddaughter recently very important): succeed in bright light in quality 1080p surprisingly well, hardly noise by autofocus or image stabilization, no jerking of the image flow or sound defects (stereo). The video quality needs a comparison with my HD videocam from Sony not shy and I've been using the Olympus SZ-31 MR So now for the moment movie recording is always the right tool at hand.
Handling: All control knobs and switches are easily accessible and logically arranged. Very pleasant is the high-resolution display in excellent image quality, which is also equipped with touch functions. Actually I thought not to need a touch screen, since I have it with this device, I have come to appreciate this facility. Also good I found the activated via the main menu is always present help that really deserves the name.
Conclusion: A high-quality-looking, well-structured camera that achieved in terms of image quality that results that you can expect from this camera class and this price range should. No more and no less, is to say: Neither a heady over-Drüber picture quality still a bitter disappointment quality, but good visual everyday fare. I further edit my images via Photoshop and similar programs, I need a quality that allows eg cropping with well-structured Details afterwards for photos of a compact camera. With some reservations, this camera is my specific needs. Much more likely to be for the people in the case who do not put on such subtleties as much or no value and decompose not almost any photo on a 27-inch screen into its component parts. This group of people, probably the most likely to belong to the majority of amateur photographers, is very well served with this handy all-round device, and particularly those people, I can recommend this camera to my previous experiences with a clear conscience.
