Olympus Stylus 1s vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2: A Practical Camera Showdown for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to choosing a camera that suits your photography style, budget, and aspirations, the market feels like a jungle sometimes. On one branch, we've got the Olympus Stylus 1s - a bridge-style superzoom promising versatility with an SLR-like form, and on the other, the ultra-compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2, a lightweight companion for casual shooters. At first glance, these cameras might seem worlds apart in complexity and price, but both target users craving an all-in-one solution with fixed lenses.

As someone who’s spent over 15 years pushing cameras through their paces - from wildlife hideouts at dawn to bustling street corners at dusk - I took these two out on test drives across various genres to help you cut through the specs and marketing fluff. Ready to dive deep into how these two contenders perform in real-world scenarios? Let’s unpack their strengths, limitations, and ultimately, who should clutch which camera.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build

Before pixel peeping, the feel of a camera in your hands sets half the mood for photography. The Olympus Stylus 1s is a: bridge-style, SLR-like body weighing roughly 402 grams, sporting dimensions of 116x87x57 mm. It has presence - not bulky but substantial, hinting at serious intent. The Panasonic FH2, in stark contrast, is a compact, pocket-friendly marvel at just 121 grams and a slim 94x54x19 mm profile. It’s the kind of camera you’d happily toss in your jacket pocket or purse without a second thought.

The 1s offers a fixed 28-300 mm equivalent zoom with a bright and constant f/2.8 aperture - quite a statement in a small sensor camera - while the FH2 is limited to a 28-112 mm range, aperture tapering from f/3.1 to f/6.5 as you zoom.

Handling? The Olympus boasts an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with crisp 1440-pixel resolution, perfect for eye-level composition - a breath of fresh air if you dislike framing on LCDs alone. Plus, the tilting 3-inch 1040k-dot touchscreen is a boon for versatile angles and intuitive interaction. The Panasonic FH2 lacks a viewfinder and has a fixed 2.7-inch screen at a modest 230k resolution. It feels decidedly entry-level in tactile and control refinement.

Ergonomically, the 1s has dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation which will appeal to enthusiasts who crave manual control at their fingertips. The FH2 keeps it simple - no manual exposure modes, no shutter priority - mostly automatic and easy point-and-shoot. For anyone eager to learn the ropes or wrestle with creative settings, the Olympus is the natural playground.

Though neither camera boasts weather sealing, the 1s’s robust build definitely instills more confidence for travel and rugged use than the plastic yet pleasant Panasonic body.

Sensor Size, Image Quality & Detail: Punching Above Their Weight?

Here’s where the cameras’ DNA really diverge - sensor tech and resulting image quality. The Olympus 1s packs a BSI-CMOS 1/1.7” sensor measuring 7.44x5.58 mm, with an effective 12 MP resolution (3968x2976 max pixels). The Panasonic FH2 takes a smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor at 6.08x4.56 mm, delivering slightly higher 14 MP stills (4320x3240).

What does that mean practically? The Olympus's larger sensor size (about 41.5 mm² versus Panasonic’s 27.7 mm²) generally translates to better light collection, lower noise at high ISOs, and more dynamic range - the range of brightness between the shadows and highlights it can handle - crucial for landscapes and challenging lighting.

In my hands-on testing, the 1s consistently yielded cleaner images at ISO 800, retaining more highlight and shadow detail. The FH2’s images tended to dull out faster when pushed beyond ISO 400, showing more blotchy noise and muted colors, typical of smaller-sensor CCDs. The 1s also benefits from a native ISO range of 100-12,800, while the FH2 caps at 6400, with practical limits well below that.

Both cameras have an anti-aliasing filter (which slightly softens images to avoid moiré patterns), but the Olympus’s sensor and lens combo produce noticeably sharper and more nuanced photos. I also appreciated Olympus’s support of RAW files - a must for serious editing and maximum control - which the FH2 notably lacks.

Landscape Photography Bonus: The effective dynamic range and noise handling on the 1s made photographing early morning mist and high-contrast scenes markedly better. Meanwhile, the FH2’s images, while pleasant for social sharing, fell short in demanding light.

Autofocus & Performance: Speed, Precision, and Focus Features

The Olympus 1s features 35 autofocus points with contrast-detection AF and supports touch-AF on its touchscreen. It also has face detection, continuous AF, AF tracking, and center AF modes, covering versatile focusing scenarios including moving subjects.

The Panasonic FH2, reflecting its entry-level compact status, has a meager 11 AF points, contrast-based AF without phase detection, and no manual focus option. It offers face detection and multi-area AF, but lacks continuous AF support.

In practical wildlife and sports use - the crucibles of autofocus challenge - the Olympus 1s outpaced the FH2 handily. With a continuous shooting rate of 7 fps versus the FH2’s leisurely 4 fps, and more sophisticated AF tracking, the 1s was able to nail moving birds and runners in my field trials more consistently.

The smaller lens zoom range of the FH2 also limits framing options for sports and wildlife, while the 1s’s 10.7x zoom reaches a versatile 300 mm equivalent, making it more flexible without swapping lenses.

In street photography and casual snapshots, the FH2’s slower AF and generally laggier response were noticeable - not disastrous, but definitely felt like it was designed for more leisurely shooting rather than fast reflexes.

Viewfinder and LCD: Composing Your Shot in Different Light

One often underestimated factor in shooting comfort is how you compose your image. Olympus shines here with its bright EVF, mimicking the experience of a DSLR without the bulk, and a high-res tilting LCD that helps with awkward angles and vague lighting situations.

The Panasonic, built to save space and cost, offers no viewfinder at all - you’re framing solely on a low-res fixed LCD that’s a struggle under bright sunlight or in active shooting scenarios.

The difference is night and day when photographing outdoors. The Olympus 1s’s tilting and touch-enabled screen also encourages creativity - low-angle macro shots, self-timed group photos, and quick focus adjustments feel less fiddly. The FH2 is no slouch in daylight snaps but lacks the refinement for more demanding compositions.

Lens and Zoom: Range, Aperture, and Macro

Here we find a crucial topic: Olympus’s 28-300 mm f/2.8 constant aperture lens versus Panasonic’s 28-112 mm f/3.1-6.5 variable aperture.

That bright constant aperture on the Olympus is a massive advantage - it allows better low-light performance throughout the zoom range, smoother background bokeh for portraits, and more predictable exposure settings. In real-life portrait shoots, the 1s’s lens delivered creamy subject isolation even at telephoto.

The FH2’s lens is sharpest at the wide end but noticeably soft and dimmer as you zoom in. Macro performance is similar in both, with minimum focus starting around 5 cm, but Olympus benefits from optical image stabilization which pairs well with macro’s need for slower shutter speeds.

Video Capabilities: Quick Clips or Semi-Pro Recording?

Neither camera aims to replace a dedicated video rig but understanding their video chops is important for hybrid shooters.

The Olympus 1s shoots Full HD 1920x1080 at 30 fps with H.264 compression, includes optical stabilization, and timelapse recording. While it lacks microphone inputs for external audio, the video quality is solid for casual and enthusiast filmmaking.

The Panasonic FH2 is less ambitious - limited to 1280x720 HD at 30 fps with Motion JPEG codec, no video stabilization, and no timelapse. Audio and low-light capabilities are basic.

For vloggers or multimedia creators on a tight budget, neither camera is ideal, but Olympus’s video feature set clearly aligns better with modern expectations.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Staying Powered and Sharing

Battery life plays a key role on extended shoots and travel. The Olympus 1s impresses with approximately 450 shots per charge, outpacing the Panasonic’s modest 270 shots.

Connectivity-wise, the Olympus enjoys built-in wireless to facilitate image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps - a feature missing on the FH2, which offers no wireless features. Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but of course, handling higher capacity cards is more useful if you shoot RAW or HD video as on the 1s.

Genre-Specific Performance: Which Camera Excels Where?

It’s time to zoom (pun intended) into different photography styles and see how these cameras stack up in practice.

Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back Panasonic FH2 front Panasonic FH2 screen back

Portrait Photography

Olympus’s wide aperture lens and face detection tools create more appealing portraits with smoother bokeh and sharper eye focus. The camera’s versatility in manual controls gives creative freedom to adjust depth of field and exposure precisely.

Panasonic FH2 is limited here - the smaller aperture and lack of manual exposure decrease control, resulting in flatter, less dimensional portraits, especially indoors.

Landscape Photography

The Olympus 1s’s better dynamic range and larger sensor provide firmer control over highlight and shadow details in challenging scenes. The 12 MP resolution and sharp lens mean large prints are feasible.

The FH2’s smaller sensor and limited dynamic range result in less tonal gradation, although wide-angle landscapes in good sunlight come out decent. Lack of weather sealing curtails usage in tougher outdoor conditions for both though.

Wildlife Photography

The 1s’s longer zoom, faster AF, image stabilization, and burst shooting make it far better suited for capturing animals in motion. Panasonic’s narrower zoom and slower AF lead to missed shots.

Sports Photography

Good AF tracking and high frame rate are game changers. Olympus delivers 7 fps continuous shooting with continuous AF, while Panasonic lags at 4 fps without continuous AF, limiting the ability to track fast action.

Street Photography

Here, size and discretion matter. Panasonic’s slim, lightweight body is less intimidating and perfect for stealth photography, albeit at the cost of slower responsiveness and image quality in low light.

Olympus is bulkier but offers faster controls and viewfinder for quick reactions. If discreetness trumps image quality, FH2 has a niche.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus down to about 5 cm but Olympus’s stabilization and brighter aperture help get sharper, brighter close-ups handheld.

Night and Astro Photography

Without weatherproofing or special astro modes, these cameras aren’t ideal for serious night photography. Olympus’s higher ISO performance edges ahead but noise remains an issue on both.

Video

Olympus is the clear choice with Full HD at 30p, optical stabilization, and timelapse. Panasonic’s video is basic and lower resolution.

Travel Photography

Olympus offers versatility across focal lengths and decent battery life but weighs over 400g. Panasonic is featherweight and pocketable but compromises on image quality and control.

Professional Work

Neither camera targets professional workflows. Olympus’s RAW shooting and manual controls cater to serious enthusiasts, but professionals would find both lacking in sensor size, lens interchangeability, and advanced features.

Technical Breakdown Summary

To quickly grasp key specs side-by-side:

Bottom Line: Which Camera Should You Buy?

After extensively using both, who learns best from their strengths and how to mitigate their limits?

Choose Olympus Stylus 1s if:

• You want a do-it-all camera with an impressive zoom range and control that approaches prosumer specs.
• Manual control, RAW shooting, and an electronic viewfinder are non-negotiables.
• You shoot often outdoors, in mixed lighting, or pursue wildlife, sports, or portraits.
• You want an enthusiast-friendly camera with image stabilization, decent battery life, and better video features.
• Your budget can stretch toward mid-range, valuing versatility over minimalist portability.

Choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 if:

• You prioritize compactness, portability, and simple operation over advanced features.
• Your photography is mostly casual snapshots or travel photos in good light and you’re on a tight budget.
• You want a lightweight camera that fits in a pocket and is unobtrusive on the street.
• Video and manual exposure controls aren’t a priority, and you’re content with JPEG only.
• You don’t mind limited zoom range and slower autofocus.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Cameras for Differing Needs

This camera face-off reminds me of the many shooting trips where I had to decide: “Do I lug the big stuff or grab the light pocket camera?”

The Olympus Stylus 1s leans towards the serious enthusiast needing a versatile, all-in-one capable of tackling multiple genres with more mastery and image quality. It feels like a camera built with photographers in mind - packed with thoughtful controls and features that matter for greater creative freedom.

The Panasonic FH2, released earlier and clearly budget-conscious, serves as a simple digital companion for the casual shooter - lightweight, straightforward, but limited when you demand more or edge into advanced photography.

Both cameras have their place - and understanding which surfing wave of photography you want to ride helps immensely in avoiding post-purchase regrets.

I hope this comparison offers you a window into real-world usability rather than just spec sheets. If image quality, control, and zoom versatility matter most, Olympus 1s wins hands down. If pocket-friendly simplicity and value are king, Panasonic FH2 might delight your inner snapshot artist.

Happy shooting - may your next camera bring out the explorer and creator in you!