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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched May 2013
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced March 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-1
  • Renewed by Olympus SH-3
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SH-2 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was launched 21 months prior to the SH-2 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the SH-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus SH-2

 E-PM2 SH-2 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus E-PM2

 SH-2 E-PM2 
AnnouncedMarch 2015May 2013Fresher by 21 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SH-2

 E-PM2 SH-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-2 has dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-PM2 and the SH-2.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and SH-2 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and SH-2.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field easier. The older E-PM2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
44
MP count good (16MP)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Street photography camera
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
lighter than average (271g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography details
Olympus SH-2 Sports photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography details
66
provides focus via touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
74
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lighter than average (271g)
boasts touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography information
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography information
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
missing Timelapse recording
55
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Vlogging camera
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing microphone port
35
decently wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus SH-2
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-05-21 2015-03-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max 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 Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 271 gr (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images 380 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $448 $399