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Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Key Specs

Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus SH-1
  • New Model is Olympus SH-3
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
  • Revealed December 2012
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Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus SH-2 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the SH-2 (16MP) and XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the SH-2 (1/2.3") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The SH-2 was unveiled 2 years later than the XZ-2 iHS and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SH-2 scores versus the XZ-2 iHS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 SH-2 XZ-2 iHS 
RevealedMarch 2015December 2012Fresher by 28 months

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Olympus SH-2

 XZ-2 iHS SH-2 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 SH-2 XZ-2 iHS 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SH-2 offers external measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-2 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SH-2 against the XZ-2 iHS.

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-2 and XZ-2 iHS is 88 and 85 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SH-2 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus SH-2 will result in greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern SH-2 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography info
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography info
44
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-2
Street photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus by touch
lighter than competitors (271 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
66
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (346g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-2
Sports photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
good battery life (380 shots)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
great battery (340 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Travel photography factors
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography factors
74
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (271g)
offers focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
61
great battery (340 per charge)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (346g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography details
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography details
55
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
55
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
great battery (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.7")
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SH-2
Vlogging with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
36
fairly wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (346 grams)
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Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Olympus XZ-2 iHS
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-2 Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2015-03-11 2012-12-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3968 x 2976
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 35
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.5 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 grams (0.60 pounds) 346 grams (0.76 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 216
Other
Battery life 380 pictures 340 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B Li-90B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $450