Clicky

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 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
  • Refreshed by Olympus SH-3
Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Revealed December 2013
  • Later Model is Panasonic GM5
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic GM1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the GM1 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SH-2 (1/2.3") and GM1 (Four Thirds) posses different sensor measurements.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The SH-2 was revealed 15 months later than the GM1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SH-2 grades versus the GM1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic GM1

 SH-2 GM1 
RevealedMarch 2015December 2013Fresher by 15 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Olympus SH-2

 GM1 SH-2 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution1036k460kClearer screen (+576k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GM1

 SH-2 GM1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-2 features physical measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GM1 has measurements of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic GM1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SH-2 vs the GM1.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SH-2 and GM1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking specs. The visual below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-2 and GM1.

All in all, the two cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor sizing. The SH-2 includes the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging. The more modern SH-2 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography features
44
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
65
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-2
Street photography with Panasonic GM1
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
lighter than average (271 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
77
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition (204g)
good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GM1 as a Sports photography camera
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking focus
great battery pack (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
48
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
Travel photography with Panasonic GM1
74
great battery pack (380 shots)
lighter than average (271g)
provides focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
74
lighter than competition (204g)
comes with touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery (230 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography features
55
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
69
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 per charge)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SH-2
Vlogging with Panasonic GM1
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
35
touchscreen enabled
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (204 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic GM1
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2015-03-11 2013-12-19
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
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 16MP
Anti alias 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 pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 1,036 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/500 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.5 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/50 secs
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 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271g (0.60 lbs) 204g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 660
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 230 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $399 $750