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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Olympus SZ-15 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Launched June 2013
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
  • Released March 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-1
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-3
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus SZ-15 versus Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are created by Olympus. The resolution of the SZ-15 (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ-15 was brought out 20 months before the SH-2 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the SZ-15 matches up against the SH-2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus SH-2

 SZ-15 SH-2 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus SZ-15

 SH-2 SZ-15 
ReleasedMarch 2015June 2013More modern by 20 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus SH-2

 SZ-15 SH-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-15 offers physical measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") having a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has proportions 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 SZ-15 versus Olympus SH-2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ-15 compared to the SH-2.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-15 and SH-2 is 88 and 88 respectively.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the gap in sensor sizes only by going through specifications. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-15 and SH-2.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photos however you would want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged SZ-15 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Portrait photography info
Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography info
44
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
has face detect focusing
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
44
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
Street photography with Olympus SH-2
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
lighter than average in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Sports photography info
Olympus SH-2 Sports photography info
53
excellent zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography features
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography features
68
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
74
better than average battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than average in class (271 grams)
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography advice
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography advice
49
you can focus manually
relatively wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
55
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-15 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
35
decently wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (271 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no external microphone jack
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Olympus SZ-15 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-15 and Olympus SH-2
 Olympus SZ-15Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus SZ-15 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-21 2015-03-11
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 23-483mm (21.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 11.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.50 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250 grams (0.55 lb) 271 grams (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 380 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model SLB-10A LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $200 $399