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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus SH-3
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SH-2 was manufactured 4 years after the FZ40 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SH-2 grades versus the FZ40 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic FZ40

 SH-2 FZ40 
AnnouncedMarch 2015July 2010More modern by 57 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus SH-2

 FZ40 SH-2 
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic FZ40

 SH-2 FZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-2 has got outer measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ40 has proportions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") having a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic FZ40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the SH-2 compared to the FZ40.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-2 and FZ40 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking technical specs. The image here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and FZ40.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus SH-2 to resolve greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger SH-2 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-2
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ40
44
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
46
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-2
Street photography with Panasonic FZ40
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SH-2
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography highlights
74
better than average battery (380 per charge)
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
boasts touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
54
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
55
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
51
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging highlights
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
23
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-03-11 2010-07-21
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias 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 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.5fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 gr (0.60 lb) 494 gr (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $399 $420