Olympus E-450 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Its time to look more closely at the Olympus E-450 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Olympus. The resolution of the E-450 (10MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is pretty close but the E-450 (Four Thirds) and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-450 was released 4 years prior to the XZ-2 iHS and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-450 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-450 matches up vs the XZ-2 iHS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-450 & Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-450 Gallery & Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

If you're planning to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-450 has outside measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

See the Olympus E-450 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-450 and the XZ-2 iHS.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-450 and XZ-2 iHS is 77 and 85 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The graphic below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-450 and XZ-2 iHS.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-450 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older E-450 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.