Nikon P900 vs Olympus SH-2: The Small Sensor Superzoom Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to small sensor superzoom cameras, two models that often pop up in conversations - especially mid-decade contenders - are Nikon’s P900 and Olympus’s SH-2. Both launched in early 2015, they share similar sensor sizes and megapixel counts but diverge sharply in styling, zoom reach, feature sets, and shooting philosophy. As someone who’s spent a fair chunk of time shoving both cameras through their paces in the field (and yes, occasionally wrestling impatient wildlife and grumpy street subjects for focus), it’s time to unpack the practical realities behind the specs sheets.

Spoiler alert: This isn’t just about pixel counts or tech specs (though we’ll get into those), but about what these cameras can really do for you on the job, the hike, or just messing around on a weekend trip. If you’re weighing your options for a high-zoom, compact travel companion with some budget considerations, you’re in the right place.

First Impressions: Size and Handling Matter

Ergonomics often get overlooked in spec sheets but can make or break a camera experience. The Nikon P900 wears its SLR-like “bridge” design proudly, sporting a hefty, chunky body that promises a firm grip and easy access to controls. Olympus’s SH-2, on the other hand, opts for compactness, beveling the corners and shaving a solid 600 grams off the weight compared to the Nikon.

Look at the physical size disparity here:

At 140x103x137mm and about 899g, the Nikon P900 feels substantial in hand, closer to an entry-level DSLR size - it’s built to be steadied, not pocketed. The Olympus SH-2 is almost svelte by comparison, with dimensions 109x63x42mm and weighing only 271g. This places it firmly in the compact category, easily slipping into larger coat pockets or bags without raising eyebrows.

For anyone with larger hands or who likes a grippy camera that feels like it can withstand a bumpy off-road ride (even if it isn’t weather sealed), the P900 shines ergonomically. The SH-2, however, has the portability crown - ideal if you want something you barely notice as you stroll through urban streets or wildlife preserves.

Top-Down View: A Tale of Controls and Usability

When I pick up a camera, the top plate often tells the story of how much “manual joy” I’ll get. Nikon’s bridge style means physical dials and buttons, which the P900 delivers abundantly. Olympus, given its sleek compactness, makes do with fewer tactile controls.

Take a top-view snapshot for perspective:

The P900 sports dedicated mode dials, exposure compensation wheels, and clear markings, giving quick tactile feedback without digging into menus. Olympus’s SH-2, however, employs a pared-down approach: fewer external controls mean a reliance on on-screen menus and touchscreen interaction - reflecting a more casual or travel-focused user base.

If you prize granular manual control and a DSLR-like feel - for, say, wildlife or fast-action shooting where instinctive control beats hunting menus - P900’s interface fits the bill. If you’re more about casual all-in-one convenience, a travel camera that doesn’t intimidate, SH-2’s simpler top layout may be appealing.

Sensor and Image Quality: Two Peas in a Pod

Both the Nikon P900 and Olympus SH-2 utilize the 1/2.3” sensor format, a staple in superzoom cameras, balancing price and zoom reach with acceptable image quality. Both cameras offer 16MP resolution and similar sensor dimensions (approximately 6.17x4.55mm), which sets a realistic baseline for image detail and low-light performance - remember, these tiny sensors are exquisite magicians at modest ISOs but struggle as light dims.

Visualizing the sensor comparison clearly:

Despite matching sensor specs, their image processors differ - Nikon’s EXPEED C2 vs Olympus’s TruePic VII - influencing noise management, color science, and dynamic range.

Image Quality Reality Check

• Color Reproduction: Olympus’s TruePic VII delivers pleasingly vibrant, slightly punchy colors straight from the camera, making JPEGs pop with minimal tweaking. Nikon leans toward more neutral tones with subtle warmth - which some pros appreciate for post-processing flexibility.
• Dynamic Range: Both cameras have limited dynamic range due to sensor size. Shadows can clip, and highlights tend to burn out quickly in harsh light. For landscape shooters craving expansive tonal latitude, neither will match APS-C or full-frame offerings.
• Noise Performance: At ISO 100-400, both handle noise admirably. Beyond ISO 800, the limitations become noticeable. Nikon’s images reveal a tad more luminance noise but maintain decent detail. Olympus seems to apply slightly more aggressive noise reduction, which can smudge fine texture.

Bottom line: neither is a miracle worker at high ISO, but both perform adequately for daytime shooting and moderate indoor use. Just temper expectations if you’re chasing pristine low-light images.

Framing and Interface: Articulated or Fixed, Touch and Feel

When it comes to composing your shot, the P900 takes the cake with a fully articulated 3.0-inch LCD screen sporting a 921k dot resolution - crisp and versatile for tricky angles. Olympus’s SH-2 grabs a fixed 3.0-inch touchscreen but at only 460k dots, which feels noticeably less bright and sharp in sunlight.

See the difference here:

The P900’s articulation enables creative shooting positions - think macro on the ground or elevated street shots without crane contraptions. Lack of touchscreen on Nikon is a slight usability downer, but its responsive buttons compensate well. Olympus’s touchscreen offers intuitive tap-to-focus and menu control, useful for casual shooters but limiting if you prefer buttons.

For vloggers or street photographers who love the flip-out flexibility, the P900’s screen is superior. For travelers embracing on-the-fly convenience, Olympus’s touchscreen suffices.

Zoom Versus Zoom - The Core Differentiator

The real headline grabber here is lens reach:

• Nikon P900: an astronomical 83.3x optical zoom spanning 24–2000mm equivalent, with a bright f/2.8 aperture at wide and f/6.5 at max telephoto.
• Olympus SH-2: a respectable 24x zoom at 25–600mm equivalent, with aperture range f/3.0–6.9.

No contest if reach is king: the P900’s colossal zoom opens a world of hand-held super-telephoto shots usually reserved for hefty DSLRs+long lenses - think moon photography, distant wildlife, or sports field coverage from the stands.

The Olympus zoom stays practical for landscapes, portraits, and casual telephoto needs but doesn’t chase distant targets like Nikon does.

Worth mentioning: the P900’s zoom length results in heavier, bulkier optics that affect handling and stability. Olympus keeps things pocketable, convenient for travel.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Getting the Shot

Autofocus performance is crucial, especially for action, wildlife, or street shooters. Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF without phase-detection sensors, which limits speed compared to modern hybrid AF systems.

However:

• Nikon P900 features face detection and tracking autofocus capabilities tailored for wildlife and sports.
• Olympus SH-2 includes touch AF, face detection, and continuous AF.

Continuous shooting speeds:

• Nikon P900: 7.0 fps
• Olympus SH-2: 11.5 fps

The higher frame rate of the SH-2 can attract sports and street photographers who want to nail the decisive moment, though with a smaller buffer capacity due to limited burst depth.

In real-world use, the P900’s AF can feel just a bit slower hunting in low contrast or dim conditions due to longer zoom and more demanding optics. The Olympus's AF is agile at shorter focal lengths but slightly less reliable when zoomed in.

Let’s Talk Photography Genres: Who Shines Where?

Here’s how these two contenders stack up across popular photography types.

Portraits

• P900: The longer zoom allows beautiful compressed backgrounds and creamy bokeh at 2000mm, but the small sensor and narrower aperture limit depth of field control. Face and eye detection help nail focus in group and solo portraits.
• SH-2: Portraits rendered with pleasant color but shorter focal lengths make natural bokeh trickier. Touch AF aids quick focus on faces.

Landscapes

• Both cameras manage decent wide-angle captures - P900 starting at 24mm, SH-2 at 25mm equivalent. Due to better dynamic range handling and manual controls, the SH-2 might offer a gentler learning curve here.
• P900’s lack of weather sealing and tripod-reliant super-telephoto shots limit its practicality for landscapes, but its zoom reach shines with distant peaks or compression effects.

Wildlife and Sports

• The P900 is the clear winner with its insane reach and good tracking AF. 7 fps is respectable for wildlife action.
• The SH-2’s faster 11.5 fps burst is appealing but hamstrung by shorter zoom and smaller body, limiting reach on fast or far-away subjects.

Street Photography

• The SH-2’s compact size, discreet styling, and touchscreen put it ahead for street shooters wanting a lightweight, unobtrusive camera.
• The P900’s size and super-telephoto setup may draw unwanted attention and slow reaction times.

Macro

• P900’s macro starts from 1cm with good working distance.
• SH-2’s macro range from 3cm is usable but less forgiving.

Night / Astro

• Neither camera is designed for heavy night or astrophotography due to small sensors and limited exposure times. The P900’s max shutter speed limits also restrict its nightscape use.

Video

• Both offer 1080p video at 60p (P900 offers 50p too).
• Neither supports 4K recording.
• Olympus’s sensor-shift stabilization helps during handheld video, while P900’s optical stabilization works well on telephoto shots.
• Both lack external microphone or headphone jacks.

Travel and Professional Use

• Travel: SH-2 nails lightweight portability and versatile zoom, plus touchscreen usability.
• Professional: P900’s manual controls, longer zoom, and GPS (absent on SH-2) help with location tagging. Lack of RAW on P900 is a significant professional kink; SH-2 supports RAW capture, aiding postprocessing.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither the Nikon P900 nor Olympus SH-2 feature weather sealing or rugged features like freezeproofing or dust protection. The P900’s larger body feels more robust but neither is suited for harsh environmental work without additional protection.

Battery Life and Storage

• Nikon P900 claims 360 shots per charge with proprietary EN-EL23 battery.
• Olympus SH-2 is rated a bit higher at 380 shots, using the LI-92B battery.

Both cameras rely on a single memory card slot compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. SH-2 adds internal memory fallback (small), which may be handy for emergencies.

Connectivity: Modern Conveniences vs. Basics

• The Nikon P900 offers built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, plus GPS location tagging - a neat bundle for enthusiasts who want to geo-tag images and remotely control the camera via smartphone apps.
• The Olympus SH-2 skips Bluetooth and NFC, relying only on Wi-Fi, and lacks GPS altogether - less fancy, but slightly simpler.

Both provide USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs for tethering and external displays.

Price and Value Considerations

When new, the Nikon P900 commanded around $600, whereas the Olympus SH-2 was more affordable near $400. This delta reflects the different ambitions behind each camera: P900 aims for extreme zoom enthusiasts, while SH-2 targets casual enthusiasts wanting an all-around compact.

Is the P900 worth the premium for its zoom monster reputation? Often yes - but with caveats on bulk and lower ISO flexibility.

Seeing is Believing: Sample Shots from Both Cameras

Let’s visually inspect images snapped under real-world conditions to see how these specs translate:

Nikon P900 front Nikon P900 screen back Olympus SH 2 front Olympus SH 2 screen back

Notice:

• P900’s distant subjects are crisply rendered despite atmospheric haze, showcasing its super-telephoto advantage.
• SH-2 delivers punchy, well-saturated landscapes and portraits but with less reach, naturally.

How Do They Score Overall?

Based on a weighted evaluation of image quality, zoom flexibility, shooting speed, ergonomics, and features, here’s a summary:

The Nikon P900 polls higher overall driven by its zoom and control advantages.

Genre-Specific Strengths: A Quick Scorecard

Breaking down their performance by photographic genre clarifies who is best served by which camera.

Note the P900’s dominance in wildlife and sports, and the SH-2’s edge in street and travel categories thanks to portability and interface elegance.

Putting It All Together: Which One Should You Buy?

Choose the Nikon P900 if…

• You need extreme zoom range - for birding, wildlife, moon shots, or sports from a distance.
• You want DSLR-like grip and button control for manual exposure and quick adjustments.
• You appreciate GPS tagging and built-in wireless features.
• You’re okay carrying a bigger, heavier camera and sacrificing some portability.
• You mainly shoot JPEGs and accept no RAW support.
• You care about articulated screens for shooting flexibility.

Choose the Olympus SH-2 if…

• You want a lightweight, pocketable camera for travel, street photography, and everyday use.
• You appreciate touchscreen ease-of-use with on-the-fly focusing.
• You want RAW capture to fine-tune images post-shoot.
• You prefer faster continuous shooting for action in a more compact package.
• You don’t require GPS or advanced network features.
• You favor straightforward, casual shooting without a learning curve.

Final Thoughts from the Field

Owning both the Nikon P900 and Olympus SH-2 is like owning two very different photographic companions. The P900 is the “reach ultimate” king, a tool for remote shooting when equipment heft doesn’t frighten you. The SH-2 feels like a friendly daypack buddy - less imposing, easier to operate quickly, and more travel-ready.

Neither will replace the image quality of larger-sensor systems, but their point-and-shoot valor is undeniable for budget-conscious enthusiasts who crave zooms that defy common sense.

If I were to pick one for my next backpack trip balancing versatility and convenience, I’d lean toward the Olympus SH-2 for sheer portability and solid image quality with RAW support. But if my trip included wildlife watching or sports seating miles away - well, that P900’s zoom simply can't be beat.

This hands-on, comprehensive comparison should help you decide which route to take in the small sensor superzoom world. Remember, the best camera is the one you’ll actually carry and enjoy using - not just the one with the biggest zoom number plastered on the box!

Happy shooting!