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Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
72
Imaging
40
Features
28
Overall
35
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon L810
  • Refreshed by Nikon L830
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Released March 2015
  • Previous Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-3
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Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Nikon L820 and Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The L820 was unveiled 3 years before the SH-2 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the L820 scores vs the SH-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Olympus SH-2

 L820 SH-2 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Nikon L820

 SH-2 L820 
ReleasedMarch 2015January 2013Newer by 25 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Olympus SH-2

 L820 SH-2 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon L820 features exterior measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Examine the Nikon L820 and Olympus SH-2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the L820 compared to the SH-2.

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the L820 and SH-2 is 72 and 88 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing technical specs. The pic below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the L820 and SH-2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs although you will need to take the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged L820 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
44
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
no manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 Street photography details
Olympus SH-2 Street photography details
38
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (470g)
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
lighter than competitors (271g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Nikon L820 Sports photography information
Olympus SH-2 Sports photography information
36
incredible zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon L820
Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
56
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (23mm)
long reach (675mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (470 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
74
good battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than competitors (271g)
offers touch to focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Landscape photography camera
36
quite wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
55
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 per charge)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L820 Vlogging highlights
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging highlights
24
quite wide (23mm)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (470 grams)
35
relatively wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
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Nikon L820 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Olympus SH-2
 Nikon Coolpix L820Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix L820 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-29 2015-03-11
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-675mm (29.3x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings - Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format - H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 470 grams (1.04 pounds) 271 grams (0.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photos 380 photos
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA LI-92B
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Price at release $192 $399