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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 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
  • Successor is Olympus SH-3
Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the SH-2 (16MP) and the ZS40 (18MP) is fairly close and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SH-2 was manufactured 15 months later than the ZS40 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SH-2 grades vs the ZS40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Panasonic ZS40

 SH-2 ZS40 
LaunchedMarch 2015January 2014Fresher by 15 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Olympus SH-2

 ZS40 SH-2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic ZS40

 SH-2 ZS40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-2 offers outer dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS40 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Compare the Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SH-2 and the ZS40.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SH-2 and ZS40 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The photograph below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-2 and ZS40.

As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent SH-2 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
44
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
52
has manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW formats
features focus by touch
lighter than others in class (271 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than average in class (240g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
51
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
74
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
lighter than others in class (271g)
features focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
69
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
resolution is good (18MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
55
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (380 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
56
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (271g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have microphone support
34
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no microphone socket
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Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-2 and Panasonic ZS40
 Olympus Stylus SH-2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus Stylus SH-2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-03-11 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.5 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 6.40 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 lbs) 240 gr (0.53 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 300 photographs
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, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $399 $450