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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 front
Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 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
  • Launched March 2015
  • Previous Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Renewed by Olympus SH-3
Panasonic GF8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF7
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 Overview

The following is a complete comparison of the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GF8, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the GF8 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SH-2 (1/2.3") and GF8 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor measurements.

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The SH-2 was introduced 11 months earlier than the GF8 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GF8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SH-2 scores versus the GF8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic GF8

 SH-2 GF8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF8 over the Olympus SH-2

 GF8 SH-2 
ReleasedFebruary 2016March 2015Newer by 11 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kSharper display (+580k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GF8

 SH-2 GF8 
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SH-2 features external dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic GF8 has dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GF8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view scale comparison of the SH-2 against the GF8.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and GF8 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The image here should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-2 and GF8.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor dimensions. The SH-2 has the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF harder. The more aged SH-2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF8 as a Portrait photography camera
44
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF8 Street photography highlights
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
80
tilting screen
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Sports photography details
Panasonic GF8 Sports photography details
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
great battery life (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
49
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery power (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
Travel photography with Panasonic GF8
74
great battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than others in class (271g)
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
66
supports focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
low battery power (230 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-2
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF8
55
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery power (230 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF8 as a Vlogging camera
35
pretty wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (271g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
33
touchscreen functionality
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic port
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GF8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GF8
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2015-03-11 2016-02-15
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 125 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/500s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 11.5 frames/s 5.8 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 lb) 266g (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 230 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $549