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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P3
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS16
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FH2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and FH2 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

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The E-P2 was unveiled 8 months earlier than the FH2 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-P2 scores against the FH2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic FH2

 E-P2 FH2 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus E-P2

 FH2 E-P2 
IntroducedJanuary 2011April 2010More modern by 8 months

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FH2

 E-P2 FH2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P2 offers outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic FH2 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FH2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P2 against the FH2.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and FH2 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and FH2.

To sum up, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-P2 using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic FH2 will give you more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-P2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
33
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography info
Panasonic FH2 Street photography info
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
lighter than competition in class (121g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery pack (270 per charge)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Travel photography camera
43
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
72
great battery pack (270 shots)
lighter than competition in class (121 grams)
provides touch focus
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography factors
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery (300 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
41
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
great battery pack (270 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P2
Vlogging with Panasonic FH2
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (121g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS16
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-04-22 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lb) 121 gr (0.27 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 505 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 270 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $799 $149