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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-620 UZ
Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Announced December 2012
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview

Here is a comprehensive review of the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is relatively comparable but the SP-610UZ (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The SP-610UZ was introduced 23 months earlier than the XZ-2 iHS which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short view of how the SP-610UZ grades versus the XZ-2 iHS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 SP-610UZ XZ-2 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 XZ-2 iHS SP-610UZ 
AnnouncedDecember 2012January 2011Fresher by 23 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 SP-610UZ XZ-2 iHS 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-610UZ has got outer measurements of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") along with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SP-610UZ versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SP-610UZ vs the XZ-2 iHS.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SP-610UZ and XZ-2 iHS is 79 and 85 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by going through technical specs. The visual below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-610UZ and XZ-2 iHS.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SP-610UZ having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Olympus SP-610UZ will show more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots much more aggressively. The older SP-610UZ will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Portrait photography features
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography features
28
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
46
focusing manually
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ as a Street photography camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
50
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
66
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (346g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Sports photography factors
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography factors
39
incredible zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (340 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ as a Travel photography camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
61
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (616mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
61
great battery life (340 per charge)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (346 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Landscape photography information
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography information
40
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
55
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (340 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ as a Vlogging camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
26
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
36
rather wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (346 grams)
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
 Olympus SP-610UZOlympus XZ-2 iHS
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SP-610UZ Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-06 2012-12-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-616mm (22.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.7 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 405 grams (0.89 lb) 346 grams (0.76 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 216
Other
Battery life 340 shots 340 shots
Battery form AA Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA Li-90B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $299 $450