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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Announced March 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-3
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

The following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SH-2 was brought out 15 months after the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SH-2 grades versus the SZ8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic SZ8

 SH-2 SZ8 
LaunchedMarch 2015January 2014Newer by 15 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus SH-2

 SZ8 SH-2 

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic SZ8

 SH-2 SZ8 
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus SH-2 features external measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SH-2 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the SH-2 against the SZ8.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and SZ8 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The pic underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-2 and SZ8.

As you have seen, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs however you may want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more modern SH-2 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
44
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
lighter than others (271g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Sports photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography details
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
74
good battery (380 per charge)
lighter than others (271 grams)
offers touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery power (200 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
55
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
saves RAW files
good battery (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery power (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (271 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
32
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-03-11 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Venus Engine
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
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) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.5fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
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 271 gr (0.60 lbs) 159 gr (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" 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 pictures 200 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $399 $275