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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 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
  • Introduced March 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus SH-1
  • Refreshed by Olympus SH-3
Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH4
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH5 II
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GH5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the GH5 (20MP) is very close but the SH-2 (1/2.3") and GH5 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The SH-2 was unveiled 22 months before the GH5 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SH-2 matches up against the GH5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic GH5

 SH-2 GH5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Olympus SH-2

 GH5 SH-2 
LaunchedJanuary 2017March 2015More modern by 22 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kSharper display (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GH5

 SH-2 GH5 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-2 has got outside measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic GH5 has measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs).

See the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GH5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SH-2 against the GH5.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and GH5 is 88 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and GH5.

As you can see, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SH-2 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic GH5 will render extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged SH-2 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SH-2
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH5
44
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Street photography details
Panasonic GH5 Street photography details
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
lighter than competitors (271g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
74
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GH5 Sports photography advice
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
great battery (380 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GH5 Travel photography factors
74
great battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (271 grams)
supports focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
68
weather proof
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SH-2
Landscape photography with Panasonic GH5
55
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
saves RAW files
great battery (380 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Vlogging info
Panasonic GH5 Vlogging info
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (271 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
75
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone jack
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GH5
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-03-11 2017-01-04
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 225
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 1,620 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.5 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 pounds) 725 gr (1.60 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 77
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 410 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single 2
Price at release $399 $1,298