Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2
88 Imaging
40 Features
51 Overall
44


70 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56
Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced March 2015
- Old Model is Olympus SH-1
- New Model is Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
- Announced March 2011
- Succeeded the Panasonic GH1
- Successor is Panasonic GH3

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview
Below is a detailed assessment of the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic GH2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the GH2 (16MP) is relatively close but the SH-2 (1/2.3") and GH2 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor size.

The SH-2 was brought out 4 years later than the GH2 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SH-2 grades versus the GH2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus SH-2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus SH-2 Gallery and Panasonic GH2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic GH2
SH-2 | GH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | March 2015 | ![]() | March 2011 | More recent by 49 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Olympus SH-2
GH2 | SH-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GH2
SH-2 | GH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical screen resolution |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SH-2 comes with external dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic GH2 has specifications of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") having a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic GH2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SH-2 against the GH2.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SH-2 and GH2 is 88 and 70 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through specifications. The graphic below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-2 and GH2.
Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The SH-2 features the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF more challenging. The more modern SH-2 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications
Olympus Stylus SH-2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus Stylus SH-2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-03-11 | 2011-03-23 |
Physical type | Compact | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 160 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 3cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 11.5fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) | 15.60 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 271 gr (0.60 lb) | 442 gr (0.97 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") | 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 60 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 655 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 380 photos | 330 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | LI-92B | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $399 | $1,000 |