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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 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
  • Revealed March 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Renewed by Olympus SH-3
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Revealed July 2011
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic LS5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is very close and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SH-2 was introduced 3 years after the LS5 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the SH-2 matches up against the LS5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic LS5

 SH-2 LS5 
RevealedMarch 2015July 2011Newer by 45 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Olympus SH-2

 LS5 SH-2 

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic LS5

 SH-2 LS5 
Manually focus Lack of manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-2 enjoys external measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic LS5 has sizing of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic LS5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SH-2 compared to the LS5.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the SH-2 and LS5 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching a spec sheet. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-2 and LS5.

Clearly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus SH-2 to result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher SH-2 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LS5 Portrait photography factors
44
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
33
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Street photography advice
Panasonic LS5 Street photography advice
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
lighter than average in class (271g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
62
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Sports photography information
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography information
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
32
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (160 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Travel photography camera
74
good battery life (380 per charge)
lighter than average in class (271 grams)
supports focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
65
lighter than others (126 grams)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery (160 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography advice
55
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
36
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery (160 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Vlogging advice
Panasonic LS5 Vlogging advice
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (271g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
32
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than others (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic LS5
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-03-11 2011-07-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor 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 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.5fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271g (0.60 pounds) 126g (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 160 images
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery ID LI-92B 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $399 $294