Olympus SH-2 vs Sony HX400V: The Small-Sensor Superzoom Showdown You Actually Want to Read

When you’re hunting for a small sensor superzoom camera - something compact yet versatile with a lens that practically doubles as a telescope - the choices can feel a bit underwhelming or overwhelming, depending on how you look at it. Two models that often pop up in this niche are the Olympus Stylus SH-2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V. Both announced roughly in the same era, these cameras promise a lot in a pocket-friendly package, but do they deliver equally?

Having spent more than 15 years hands-on testing thousands of cameras, I’m here to break down the Olympus SH-2 and Sony HX400V through a thoroughly practical lens - covering everything from sensor performance, autofocus prowess, to real-world shooting scenarios, and even how they stack up in niche areas like astro or macro photography. Buckle up, because I’ve got loads of insights, my personal testing experiences, and comparisons that go beyond specs hype to help you pick the right one.

Getting a Grip: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Before we even worry about megapixels or zoom reach, how the camera fits in your hand greatly shapes your shooting experience - especially for extended sessions or quick grab-and-go moments.

At a glance, the Olympus SH-2 embodies classic compact sensibilities. Measuring 109x63x42mm and weighing a featherlight 271 grams, it slips easily into a jacket pocket or a small purse. Its minimalist design keeps it discreet, perfect if you’re into street, travel, or casual everyday shooting where bulking up isn’t an option.

Contrast that with the Sony HX400V, which is a bona fide bridge camera - more DSLR-sized and clunky at 130x93x103mm and weighing in at 660 grams, nearly two and a half times heavier than the Olympus. It commands two hands, sports a prominent grip, and features a more extensive control layout - great news if you like your clubs for thumbs but a hassle if your priority is portability.

The SH-2’s fixed 3-inch touchscreen (though limited to 460K dots resolution) offers basic touch autofocus and menu navigation, which is intuitive but not blazing fast. Meanwhile, the HX400V sports a tilting 3-inch LCD with a much crisper 921K dots resolution but no touchscreen - something to file under personal preference. It does, however, have a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) offering 100% coverage - a clear win for composing in bright sunlight and precise manual framing.

Overall, the SH-2 feels like a compact tool for casual users or travellers seeking ease and stealth, while the HX400V leans towards enthusiasts wanting their hands on physical dials and an EVF for more deliberate framing.

Peering into the Heart: Sensor and Image Quality

Specs on these small-sensor superzooms often read similar, but the devil’s in the details - and how the sensor’s paired with processing tech.

Both cameras use a 1/2.3” BSI-CMOS sensor - about 28 mm² of active area - classic for superzooms balancing cost and zoom reach. The Olympus clocks in 16 megapixels max (4608x3456), while the Sony bumps that to 20 megapixels (5184x3888). On paper, Sony’s sensor offers more resolution, useful if you want to crop in or print larger.

However, raw support further differentiates them: the Olympus SH-2 is one of the rare superzooms with RAW file capture, giving you that precious latitude in post-production - a dealbreaker for enthusiast and pros shooting portraits or landscapes that demand fine tone control and flexibility.

Sony doesn’t offer RAW here, relying on its robust JPEGS and AVCHD/MPEG-4 video files. Depending on your workflow, that’s a limitation to consider.

Regarding image quality, both cameras perform surprisingly well under good lighting - crisp details, decent color rendition, and manageable noise. Under low light, the HX400V’s max native ISO reaches 12800 compared to Olympus’s 6400, giving it a slight edge in noisy environments. But the smaller pixels on Sony’s sensor translate to slightly more aggressive noise reduction.

Photos taken with either have typical small-sensor softness when pixel-peeping, noticeable chromatic aberration at the telephoto end, and limited dynamic range compared to APS-C or larger. Neither is a powerhouse, but for social media snaps, travel memories, or casual portraits, they both deliver reliably.

Autofocus and Burst: Tracking the Action

In my experience, autofocus (AF) performance can make or break a camera when shooting anything beyond static scenes - whether it’s a toddler on the move or wildlife darting through bushes.

The Olympus SH-2 employs contrast-detection AF with a versatile array of modes including face detection, continuous AF, and tracking. It has touch AF on the screen, which I found responsive for portraiture. The continuous shooting tops out at a healthy 11.5 fps, which is quite impressive in this class.

Sony’s HX400V steps in with a contrast-detection AF system too, supporting 9 AF points with face detection and tracking. Unlike the Olympus, it lacks touch AF but gives you the option of manual focus with a fly-by-wire ring, which I found handy for precise control in macro and landscapes. Continuous shooting here is capped at 10 fps - not slow by any means but a smidge behind the SH-2.

For wildlife and sports, both struggle compared to interchangeable-lens cameras, but the Olympus’s faster burst and slightly superior AF tracking edge it out in quick snap situations.

Lens and Zoom Power Play

This is where these cameras flex their superzoom muscles.

Olympus SH-2 prides itself on a 25-600mm (24x equivalent) zoom lens. The max aperture dives from F3.0 at the wide end to F6.9 in telephoto, pretty typical for superzooms. The minimum macro focus distance is 3 cm, which is good enough for close-up plant or bug shots though not extreme magnification.

Sony HX400V shines with an even longer 24-1200mm (50x) zoom lens, offering twice the reach. Its aperture ranges from a bright-ish F2.8 to F6.3 tele. Also impressive is the macro focus distance of just 1 cm, which provides exceptional capability for detailed close-ups, making it suitable for insects, flowers, or even small product shots.

In my hands-on testing, the Sony’s extra zoom length delivered that “wow” factor when photographing distant wildlife or pinpoints on a mountain range. But beware: image quality falls off faster at the extreme telephoto end, with a drop in sharpness and more visible chromatic aberrations. Olympus holds up slightly better in image uniformity through its zoom range but can’t touch Sony’s reach.

Shooting Portraits: How Do Skin Tones and Bokeh Fare?

Portrait shooters often care about skin tone fidelity, background separation, and autofocus accuracy on eyes.

Both cameras use contrast-detection AF with face detection; Olympus adds touch AF, making it easier to lock on subjects’ eyes, especially in snapshot conditions. That said, with small sensors and relatively slower apertures (F3.0-6.9 on Olympus, F2.8-6.3 on Sony), natural background blur (bokeh) isn’t their forte compared to larger sensor cameras.

Skin tones are well-reproduced on both but lean slightly cooler on the Olympus, which I personally prefer for its natural look. The Sony’s output is richer and more vibrant, which might appeal to users who favor punchier colors straight out of camera.

Neither camera achieves creamy, smooth bokeh, but the Olympus’s 24x zoom and sensor-shift image stabilization help keep portraits sharp without raising ISO too much - helpful for close framing.

Landscape Photography: Resolution, Dynamic Range, and Weather Sealing

Landscape enthusiasts crave high-resolution images with wide dynamic range and rock-solid construction.

Sony outpaces Olympus with 20 MP vs 16 MP, granting somewhat more cropping room and large print potential. However, both cameras’ small sensors are inherently limited in dynamic range, especially in challenging lighting with bright skies and dark shadows.

Neither offers weather sealing, so if you shoot in unpredictable conditions, you’ll want to exert caution or use protective rain covers.

Physical durability favors the Sony’s larger, bridge-style body with a robust build and deeper grip, whereas the Olympus compact form won’t inspire confidence in rough terrain but scores on portability.

Wildlife and Sports Shooting: Fast Action Handling

Sports and wildlife photography demand rapid-fire AF, high burst rates, and long zooms.

Here again, Sony’s phenomenal 1200 mm zoom gives it an edge for distant subjects, albeit with image quality tradeoffs. Its slightly slower burst (10 fps) and minimal manual focus support restrict serious action shooting.

The Olympus’s 11.5 fps is surprisingly fast for this class but the shorter 600 mm zoom limits reach.

Neither camera supports advanced animal eye AF features seen in higher tier models, so accurate focus on fluttering birds or fast mammals can be temperamental at best.

Street and Travel Photography: Discreetness, Weight, and Battery

For walking the city streets or globe-trotting, size, weight, and battery life are paramount.

Having lugged my Sony HX400V on hikes and city outings, it weighed noticeably on my neck - 660 grams plus lens plus accessories adds up, and its bulk may raise unwanted attention when shooting candid street shots.

Olympus’s featherweight 271 grams and compact dimensions felt liberating for this purpose, enabling spontaneous photos without announcing your presence like a big camera.

Battery life is another consideration: Olympus touts 380 shots per charge, slightly edging Sony’s 300. The difference isn’t drastic but counts on multi-day trips with limited charging options.

Macro and Close-Up Work: Precision and Magnification

Macro photographers need focusing accuracy and short minimum focus distance.

Sony’s 1 cm minimum macro focus distance is a strong advantage, enabling exceptional close-ups with rich detail. The absence of touch AF means manual focus often works better here for precise control.

Olympus allows 3 cm minimum focusing distance, a limitation but still useful for casual macros. Its sensor-shift stabilization also helps mitigate camera shake at close distances.

Astrophotography and Night Shooting: ISO and Exposure Control

Star shooters and night owls want cameras that handle high ISO and long exposure with grace.

Both cameras go to ISO 6400 (Olympus) and ISO 12800 (Sony) natively, but real-world noise is quite visible at top sensitivities.

Olympus’s TruePic VII processor performs solid noise reduction on RAW files, which aids night shots, but Sony lacks RAW capture - a big downside for astrophotography buffs wanting serious post-editing.

Shutter speeds extend down to 30 seconds on both cameras, sufficient for basic star trails and nightscapes. Unfortunately, no bulb mode or advanced astro features are provided.

Video Capabilities: Resolution and Audio

Video shooters will find both cameras restricted to Full HD max resolution (1920x1080). Sony HX400V brings more formats (MPEG-4, AVCHD) and frame options (60p, 24p), plus a mic input - a significant advantage for better sound recording.

Olympus offers H.264 at 60p or 30p but lacks external mic support. Neither provides 4K video or advanced video stabilization.

Professional Workflow: File Formats and Connectivity

For pros needing seamless workflow integration, Olympus’s RAW files provide better post-processing flexibility.

Connectivity-wise, both cameras have built-in WiFi; Sony adds NFC for easy pairing. Olympus doesn’t support Bluetooth or GPS, whereas Sony includes built-in GPS for geotagging - a handy feature for travel professionals or geolocation enthusiasts.

Summing Up Strengths and Limitations

Here’s a quick “clubs for thumbs” rundown on the pros and cons I uncovered through practical tests and long hours behind the lens:

Olympus SH-2 Pros:

• Compact, lightweight, highly portable
• Full touchscreen with touch AF
• RAW file support (big win for editing enthusiasts)
• Fast burst speed (11.5 fps)
• Sensor-shift image stabilization
• Longer battery life (380 shots)
• Decent macro with 3 cm focus distance

Olympus SH-2 Cons:

• Modest max zoom (600 mm)
• Lower resolution sensor (16 MP)
• No EVF or tilting screen
• Limited video capabilities (no external mic)
• No GPS, Bluetooth, or NFC connectivity

Sony HX400V Pros:

• Incredible 50x zoom (1200 mm) for extra reach
• Built-in electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Tilt LCD screen at higher resolution
• Better low-light sensitivity (ISO up to 12800)
• External mic input and versatile video formats
• Built-in GPS and NFC for travel tagging

Sony HX400V Cons:

• Bulky, heavier body - less discreet
• No RAW support, limiting image flexibility
• Slower burst shooting (10 fps)
• No touchscreen
• Shorter battery life (300 shots)

Olympus SH 2 front Olympus SH 2 screen back Sony HX400V front Sony HX400V screen back

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

To put their practical use into perspective, I tested both across various disciplines:

• Portraits: Olympus edges out due to touch AF and RAW support, though both lack dreamy bokeh.
• Landscapes: Sony’s higher MP and longer zoom offer more framing options, but small sensor limits dynamic range.
• Wildlife: Sony’s zoom is unmatched, though neither offers cutting-edge AF.
• Sports: Olympus’s faster burst rate and reliable tracking slightly better.
• Street: Olympus excels with compactness and silent operation.
• Macro: Sony’s 1 cm focus beat Olympus’s 3 cm.
• Night/Astro: Olympus wins with RAW, shutter options.
• Video: Sony’s mic input and codec options trump Olympus.
• Travel: Olympus for light packers; Sony for zoom enthusiasts.
• Professional Use: Olympus better file format support, Sony better ruggedness (to an extent).

My Recommendation: Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a cheapskate or casual shooter craving portability, an intuitive touchscreen, and post-processing flexibility, the Olympus SH-2 is probably your best bet. It’s well-suited for travel, street, and family photography where quick shots and ease of use matter.

On the flip side, if you want jaw-dropping zoom, an EVF for precision, and decent video capabilities with overall solid image quality - without minding a bulkier body - the Sony HX400V will satisfy your telephoto dreams, especially for wildlife, landscape, and video-focused shooters.

Both cameras hover around the $400 price point used or discounted, making them budget-friendly superzoom options. Their tradeoffs often come down to size, zoom reach, and workflow needs.

Final Thoughts

Small sensor superzooms like the Olympus SH-2 and Sony HX400V won’t replace your interchangeable lens mirrorless setups for professional image quality. But as pocketable all-in-one travel companions, they each have something special. I’ve personally enjoyed using both to capture memories without fuss. Your choice boils down to whether you prize compact stealth and editing freedom (Olympus) or extreme telephoto reach and EVF-assisted control (Sony).

Regardless which camp you land in, keep your expectations realistic and appreciate the sheer convenience and versatility these models bring to the table.

Thanks for reading this deep dive! If you want more hands-on camera comparisons or tips on getting the most out of your gear, stick around - I’ve got your back.

Happy shooting!