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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-10 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-504mm (F3.1-4.4) lens
  • 215g - 106 x 67 x 38mm
  • Revealed February 2011
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
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FH2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SZ-10 (14MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ-10 was revealed 2 months later than the FH2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ-10 matches up vs the FH2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-10 over the Panasonic FH2

 SZ-10 FH2 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus SZ-10

 FH2 SZ-10 

Common features in the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FH2

 SZ-10 FH2 
ReleasedFebruary 2011January 2011Similar age
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-10 provides external measurements of 106mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 215 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Panasonic FH2 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FH2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ-10 and the FH2.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-10 and FH2 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The photograph below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ-10 and FH2.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures although you may want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography advice
33
decent MP (14MP)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Street photography factors
Panasonic FH2 Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (215g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition (121 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Sports photography details
Panasonic FH2 Sports photography details
40
long zoom range (28-504mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (220 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
better than average battery (270 CIPA)
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than average in class (215 grams)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
great zoom (504mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery life (220 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
better than average battery (270 CIPA)
lighter than competition (121 grams)
offers focus via touch
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography highlights
40
reasonably wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
41
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery (270 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-10 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FH2 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (215 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
32
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (121g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Olympus SZ-10 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-10 and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus SZ-10Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus SZ-10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-08 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-504mm (18.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-4.4 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.10 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 215g (0.47 lb) 121g (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 106 x 67 x 38mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.5") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 270 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $300 $149