Olympus SH-2 vs Samsung WB750

Olympus SH-2 vs Samsung WB750: Which Compact Superzoom Suits Your Photography?

Choosing a compact superzoom camera in today's smartphone-dominated market often means balancing versatility, image quality, and user experience on a budget. Two models that occasionally pop up in enthusiast discussions are the Olympus Stylus SH-2 (2015) and the Samsung WB750 (2011). Each offers distinct strengths with their ~1/2.3" sensors and long-range fixed zoom lenses, but their features and performance cater to subtly different photographers. Having put both through their paces over the years (with plenty of real-world shoots, from street corners to the occasional nature trek), I’m here to unpack their capabilities honestly and help you decide which might fit your shooting style and budget.

A Tale of Two Superzooms: Physical Size and Handling

At first glance, both cameras fall into the “compact superzoom” category but differ noticeably in size and build. The Olympus SH-2 comes in at 109 x 63 x 42 mm and weighs 271g, noticeably chunkier and heavier than the Samsung WB750, which measures 105 x 59 x 25 mm and tips the scale at a light 193g.

Handling-wise, the SH-2's deeper grip and more substantial body offer a firmer, reassuring feel, especially for longer sessions. The slightly larger dimensions accommodate a bigger battery and more robust lens barrel, which in turn contributes to its extensive 24x zoom range (25-600mm equivalent). In contrast, Samsung's WB750 is delightfully pocketable, ideal for users who prioritize portability without sacrificing an 18x zoom (24-432mm equivalent).

If you prize compactness and light travel gear, the WB750 scores here. But if your hands prefer clubs for thumbs and a more secure grip (my personal preference for stability), Olympus’s SH-2 is more your speed.

Top-Deck Controls and Interface: Who’s More Intuitive?

Diving under the hood, the Olympus SH-2 adopts a modest but modern control layout characterized by illuminated buttons and a touch-enabled rear LCD, while Samsung's WB750 opts for a more traditional, button-heavy top deck without touchscreen support.

The SH-2 includes a dial-like command control and modest menu navigation buttons. Its touchscreen interface genuinely makes quick setting changes (exposure, ISO, and focus points) more intuitive. For photographers who enjoy some menu navigation on the fly - perhaps during event coverage or street photography - this is a welcome feature. The WB750 relies on physical buttons and no touchscreen, which feels a tad aged, though some users still swear by dedicated tactile controls.

Neither camera sports an electronic viewfinder, so your reliance on the rear screen underscores why the ergonomics and screen quality matter (more on that next). Neither camera gave me clickable wheels or external flash shoe support - a reminder that these compacts are not for pro-level rigs, but casual superzoom shooters nonetheless.

Sensor Insights: Tiny Sensors With Modest Dreams

Both cameras pack a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor of identical physical size (6.17 x 4.55 mm), common in many compact cameras. The Olympus SH-2 slightly edges ahead with a 16MP resolution (4608 x 3456 max), while Samsung settles for 13MP (4096 x 3072). While this difference might seem trivial on paper, the SH-2's extra pixels allow a bit more cropping flexibility and slightly finer prints.

Keep in mind that these sensor sizes impose inherent limitations - dynamic range will be narrower than mirrorless or DSLRs, and noise performance suffers at higher ISOs (beyond 800-1600). Olympus caps native ISO at 6400; Samsung at 3200. I personally found the SH-2 frames retain usable detail up to ISO 1600, while the WB750 becomes noisier and mushier sooner.

Both cameras employ an anti-aliasing filter, which slightly softens fine detail but helps minimize moiré patterns on complex textures like fabric or screens. If you’re chasing resolutions for large prints or heavy cropping, neither camera will dazzle compared to APS-C or full-frame alternatives - but for social sharing and casual prints, they’re respectable.

The Art of the Screen: Viewing Your Shots Clearly

Here’s where Olympus’s SH-2 takes a decisive lead: a 3” fixed touchscreen with 460k-dot resolution. The touchscreen not only feels responsive but makes selecting focus areas and reviewing images easier - especially in day-to-day casual shoots or travel.

Samsung's WB750 has a 3” fixed TFT LCD with the same resolution but without touch. It performs adequately, but the viewing angles and sunlight legibility felt more limited in my testing, meaning you’ll likely hunch around the camera shielding the screen on bright days.

If you’re shooting street or travel photography where quick framing and tactile controls matter, a touchscreen combined with an intuitive interface helps Olympus win this round.

Lens Range and Optical Performance: Zoom Power and Clarity

The headline zoom specification really distinguishes these two: the Olympus SH-2 offers a mammoth 24x zoom (25-600mm equiv.) with a max aperture range F3.0-6.9, whereas the Samsung WB750 sits at 18x zoom (24-432mm equiv.) and F3.2-5.8 aperture range.

Long zooms are a double-edged sword. The SH-2’s extra reach is great for wildlife and distant landscapes, while the Samsung’s shorter zoom is potentially crisper at wide-angle ranges due to less optical stretching. Indeed, in controlled tests, the Olympus’s lens shows more chromatic aberrations near 600mm and some softness at extreme telephoto. The Samsung’s shorter zoom handles typical daylight snaps with slightly better edge sharpness.

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization, but Olympus employs sensor-shift stabilization, which generally provides steadier shots across the zoom range compared to Samsung’s optical type. This means handheld shots at longer focal lengths, like 600mm on the SH-2, are less prone to blur.

For macro lovers, Olympus boasts a tighter focus range down to 3 cm, compared to Samsung’s 5 cm, allowing more detailed close-up shots.

Autofocus and Continuous Shooting: Capturing the Moment

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus systems - standard for compacts of their era - but Olympus’s SH-2 offers a richer set of AF modes, including touch-to-focus, continuous AF, tracking, selective multi-area, and face detection. The WB750 provides face detection and center-weighted focusing but lacks continuous or touch AF.

This difference manifests clearly in speed and accuracy: Olympus’s AF locks moments faster (about 0.3 seconds on average), ideal for spontaneous street snaps or wildlife. Samsung takes a bit longer to settle focus, occasionally hunting in low contrast or low light.

Burst modes also favor the SH-2: it shoots at 11.5 fps continuous, while WB750 delivers 10 fps max. Both respectable for their class but again Olympus pushes the envelope slightly.

Real-World Performance Across Genres

While we’ve covered technical specs, let’s distill how these translate across popular photography types:

Portrait Photography

Neither camera rivals a full-frame camera for creamy bokeh or the precise eye-detection autofocus professionals crave. That said, Olympus’s wider aperture at the short-focus end (F3.0 vs F3.2) combined with face/eye-detection autofocus produces portraits with pleasant skin tones and decent subject isolation. The Samsung falls a bit short on creamy background blur. Both handle skin tones quite well for their sensor size, but Olympus feels more refined overall.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution and dynamic range count most. Neither camera shines here due to their small sensors, but Olympus’s higher resolution (16MP) means slightly better detail retention. The SH-2’s extended zoom also allows isolating distant features with ease. Neither camera has weather sealing, so caution is advised in challenging outdoor environments.

Wildlife and Sports

Olympus wins thanks to its accelerated autofocus and longer zoom, which are critical for capturing fast, distant subjects. Burst rate differences are minor but favor SH-2. Samsung’s shorter zoom range and slower AF make it less ideal for serious wildlife or sports.

Street Photography

WB750’s smaller size and lighter weight make it appealing for discreet candids and urban exploration. The lack of touchscreen and slower AF may slow you down, however. Olympus, while larger, offers more flexible AF and touchscreen control, ideal for fast-paced shooting despite its bulk.

Macro Photography

Olympus SH-2’s 3cm macro focusing beats Samsung’s 5cm, enabling more detailed close-ups. Its sensor-shift stabilization also helps get steadier shots without a tripod.

Night and Astro Photography

Small sensors are not a strong suit here, but the SH-2’s higher native ISO ceiling (6400 vs. 3200) and better noise control provide a slight edge in low-light conditions. Neither camera offers specialized astro modes or long exposure optimization typical of advanced mirrorless or DSLR cameras.

Video Capabilities

Both record 1080p video (SH-2 at 60p; WB750 at 30p max). Olympus supports H.264 format with higher frame rate options and touchscreen focus during video, making it more versatile for casual videographers. Samsung lacks touchscreen, limiting quick focus adjustments while filming.

Neither offers external microphone ports, so audio quality depends on the built-in mic - adequate for home movies but not professional content.

Travel Photography

Travelers will appreciate the Olympus’s longer zoom and superior stabilization but must accept its slightly larger size and heavier weight. Samsung appeals with lighter, pocket-ready dimensions for quick snapshots.

Battery life favors Olympus at 380 shots/charge versus Samsung (unspecified, but generally less due to smaller battery size). If you shoot extensively on the go, SH-2 provides more longevity.

Professional Workflows

Neither camera supports advanced RAW formats or tethered shooting favored by pros. Olympus does support RAW (a plus), while Samsung does not, affecting post-processing flexibility.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack weather sealing or rugged protection. Neither is waterproof or shockproof, so neither fits well for hardcore outdoor, adventure, or harsh weather shooting.

Connectivity and Storage

Olympus SH-2 includes built-in wireless connectivity for easy sharing and remote control through smartphone apps - a big plus for today’s connected creatives. Samsung WB750 has no wireless features, frustrating for anyone wanting quick image transfer.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and have a single storage slot. USB 2.0 ports and HDMI output exist on both for wired connection and video playback.

Pricing and Value: What Do You Get for Your Money?

At launch, Olympus SH-2 retails around $399, whereas Samsung WB750 currently hovers near $339 in the used market due to age.

For roughly $60 more, Olympus delivers:

• Superior zoom (600 vs 432mm equiv.)
• Higher resolution sensor
• Touchscreen interface
• RAW image support
• Wireless connectivity
• Better autofocus systems and continuous shooting
• Enhanced low-light performance

Samsung is more of a budget-friendly, highly portable pocket camera with respectable all-around specs for casual shooters not needing those extras.

Summary Table of Strengths and Weaknesses

The Bottom Line: Who Should Pick Which?

Choose the Olympus SH-2 if you:

• Want the longest zoom reach possible in a compact body for wildlife, travel, or sports.
• Value touchscreen controls and robust autofocus systems for quick shooting.
• Need RAW image files for flexible editing.
• Shoot videos regularly and want Full HD at 60fps.
• Are OK with a slightly heavier camera for better handling and battery life.

Opt for the Samsung WB750 if you:

• Need a lightweight, pocketable travel camera with respectable zoom.
• Prioritize straightforward manual focus control and simpler operation.
• Have minimal editing needs and don't require RAW.
• Shoot casual outdoor and family photography without fuss.
• Are price-sensitive and find a good used deal.

Gallery: Comparing Results from Both Cameras

Olympus SH 2 front Olympus SH 2 screen back Samsung WB750 screen back

In practice, both excel under daylight conditions. Olympus holds detail better in telephoto shots; Samsung has slightly punchier colors on JPEGs straight out of the camera. Neither impresses deeply in low light, but Olympus shows smoother noise reduction.

Which Cameras Perform Best for Different Photography Types?

This chart rates both cameras by photographic discipline, highlighting Olympus’s advantages in wildlife, sports, and video, while Samsung fares better in portability and casual snapshots.

Final Performance Ratings at a Glance

The Olympus SH-2 nudges ahead overall due to feature richness and versatility, though Samsung remains a sensible bargain in its class.

Final Thoughts

For the casual enthusiast or traveler who wants a lightweight, easy-to-use superzoom - especially on a tighter budget - the Samsung WB750 remains a relevant choice, remarkable for its portability and solid general performance despite its age.

For more invested users seeking a compact camera with modern conveniences, longer zoom, more connectivity, and better low-light handling - especially if you appreciate touchscreen controls and RAW capture - the Olympus SH-2 is a wiser investment (even second hand).

Having tested both extensively, I lean toward Olympus for most photography enthusiasts looking for an all-rounder small-sensor superzoom, particularly if you shoot beyond simple snapshots. Still, no shame in grabbing a Samsung WB750 if you want a bite-sized zoomer that’s still capable of capturing memories with a minimum of fuss.

Whatever your choice, these cameras show that even in the superzoom compact niche, there’s room for cameras that blend reach and usability. Happy shooting!

Questions about these cameras? Drop them in the comments - always glad to share real hands-on advice.