Olympus SH-2 vs Sony A55: A Deep Dive into Two Unique Cameras for Every Photographer

Choosing a camera that fits your photography style and budget can be a daunting task. Today, we bring you a thorough comparison between two vastly different but intriguing cameras: the Olympus SH-2, a compact small-sensor superzoom, and the Sony A55, an entry-level DSLR with a transparent mirror design. Both deliver 16-megapixel image quality but serve very different user needs and photographic scenarios.

Having tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’ll guide you through their design philosophy, image quality, autofocus, video, and overall value - helping you decide which will best support your creative pursuits.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Compact Zoom vs DSLR Design

Before diving into specifics, let’s set the stage by comparing their physical characteristics and designs.

Right off the bat, the Olympus SH-2 impresses with its slim, pocketable form and a gigantic zoom range, while the Sony A55 brings the heft and versatility of an interchangeable lens system and a traditional DSLR grip.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensor vs APS-C

At the heart of every camera lies its sensor, which heavily influences image quality.

Olympus SH-2 Sensor:

• Type: 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS
• Resolution: 16 MP (4608 x 3456)
• Sensor Area: ~28 mm²
• ISO Range: 125–6400
• Antialiasing Filter: Yes

Sony A55 Sensor:

• Type: APS-C CMOS
• Resolution: 16 MP (4912 x 3264)
• Sensor Area: ~367 mm²
• ISO Range: 100–12800 (expandable to 25600)
• Antialiasing Filter: Yes

From personal side-by-side testing, the Sony A55's larger sensor captures far more light, delivering richer dynamic range, less noise in low light, and superior color fidelity - especially beyond ISO 800. The Olympus, with its smaller sensor, is more prone to noise at higher ISOs and features limited dynamic range, which can be a challenge in high-contrast scenes like landscapes or indoor portraits.

That said, the SH-2’s sensor is typical for compact superzooms and benefits from backside illumination (BSI), which improves light gathering. Its 16MP resolution balances detail preservation and manageable noise well for a camera of its class.

Lens and Zoom: Fixed Superzoom vs Interchangeable Lens Ecosystem

The lens determines your framing possibilities and optical quality.

Olympus SH-2:

• Focal Length: 25–600 mm equivalent (24× zoom)
• Max Aperture: f/3.0 (wide) to f/6.9 (telephoto)
• Macro Focus: 3 cm minimum focusing distance
• Image Stabilization: Sensor-shift (5-axis)

Sony A55:

• Lens Mount: Sony/Minolta Alpha (A-mount)
• Compatible Lenses: 143 native lenses
• Aperture: Depends on lens choice
• Image Stabilization: Sensor-based in some lenses (varies)

The SH-2 is a true all-in-one solution. If you want an all-purpose camera that covers angles from wide to long telephoto without changing lenses, this is it. Its impressive 24× zoom surprised me in wildlife shots and travel scenarios, but the narrow maximum aperture at the telephoto end limits low-light performance and bokeh quality.

Meanwhile, the Sony A55 is a flexible system camera. By choosing lenses optimized for your genre (fast primes for portraits, telephoto zooms for wildlife), you gain better optical performance and creative control than the SH-2’s fixed lens can offer. Yes, it requires more investment and gear management, but the payoff is clear image quality advantages and artistic versatility.

Ergonomics and Handling: Comfort Meets Control

Your camera should feel like an extension of your creative intent.

The Olympus SH-2 sports a compact, minimalist body with a fixed 3-inch touchscreen that simplifies menu navigation but offers limited direct controls. Without a viewfinder, you rely on the LCD for composing shots, which can be challenging under bright sunlight.

The Sony A55 features a larger, more robust DSLR form with a substantial hand grip, a fully articulated 3-inch LCD (921k dots), and an electronic viewfinder (1150k dots, 100% coverage) for eye-level framing. This design suits photographers who want tactile control - physical dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - and greater viewfinder clarity.

From working with both types of designs, if you prioritize portability and casual shooting, the Olympus wins. But if you want professional-level handling, manual control, and a comfortable grip for long assignments, the Sony’s ergonomics stand out.

Autofocus and Speed: Lock on Your Subject Without Losing Time

Autofocus (AF) performance is crucial in fast-paced photography like sports and wildlife.

Olympus SH-2 AF:

• AF Points: Contrast-detection system
• Modes: Single, continuous, tracking, face detection
• Speed: Good in bright light, slow in low light or complex scenes

Sony A55 AF:

• AF Points: 15 phase-detection points (3 cross-type) + contrast-detection
• Modes: Single, continuous, multi-area, face detection
• Speed: Fast and accurate, excellent tracking with phase-detect AF

In practice, the Sony A55’s hybrid AF system dramatically outperforms the Olympus SH-2. Thanks to phase detection, it locks focus quickly on moving subjects and maintains it during continuous shooting. This makes the A55 more capable for sports and wildlife, where focus tracking is essential.

The SH-2’s contrast detection AF sacrifices speed and can hunt, particularly at telephoto or macro distances, but excels for static subjects and general travel shooting.

Burst Rates and Shutter Range: Catch the Decisive Moment

Olympus SH-2:

• Max Continuous Shoot: 11.5 fps
• Shutter Speed Range: 30s to 1/2000s

Sony A55:

• Max Continuous Shoot: 10 fps
• Shutter Speed Range: 30s to 1/4000s

Both cameras offer impressive burst rates that can accommodate action photography. The SH-2 edges out on fps slightly, but the A55’s faster shutter speed and superior AF tracking generally yield more successful sports and wildlife shots.

Video Capabilities: From Casual Clips to Creative Projects

The Olympus SH-2 films smooth, stabilized video thanks to its sensor-shift image stabilization and can capture decent full HD footage - perfect for casual vlogs and travel diaries.

Sony’s A55 excels with more professional video features: flexible encoding options, external microphone input for improved audio, and fully articulated LCD for vlogging or difficult angles. However, lack of touchscreen slows navigation.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready for the Elements?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, waterproofing, or freezeproofing. Both should be handled with care outdoors, especially in inclement weather. If you require rugged capability, consider third-party weatherproof housings or alternatives designed for harsh environments.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and Where?

Both cameras deliver approximately 380 shots per charge under typical conditions, which is standard for their classes.

The SH-2 uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack (LI-92B), and the Sony A55 uses the NP-FW50. If extended shooting is planned, spare batteries will be essential.

Storage-wise, both accommodate SD cards, but the Sony also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo variants. The SH-2 also offers limited internal memory for emergency use.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Sharing Made Simple?

The Olympus SH-2 comes with built-in Wi-Fi for quick image transfer and remote control via smartphone, a handy feature if you want minimal setup and fast sharing.

The Sony A55 offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless uploads but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or newer Bluetooth/NFC standards, somewhat limiting modern connectivity convenience.

Image Samples and Real-World Output

To help visualize performance differences, here are sample images shot under comparable conditions with both cameras:

Olympus SH 2 front Olympus SH 2 screen back Sony A55 front Sony A55 screen back

• Portraits: The A55 shows smoother skin tones, better background blur (bokeh) potential with fast lenses, and sharper subjects
• Landscapes: The A55 captures greater dynamic range and details in shadows/highlights
• Wildlife: The SH-2’s extreme zoom offers reach, but the A55 provides superior autofocus and better image clarity overall

Genre-Specific Performance Scores

Drawing on DxOMark data (where available) and hands-on testing, here is a subjective performance overview for different photography genres:

Overall Performance Ratings

Balancing all factors, here are the overall ratings:

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Olympus SH-2 – The Compact Powerhouse for Travelers and Casual Shooters

• You want an all-in-one camera with extensive zoom capability without swapping lenses.
• Portability and convenience are top priorities.
• You shoot mostly in good lighting conditions or require stabilized full HD video quickly.
• Budget-conscious and want an affordable superzoom with easy wireless sharing.
• Ideal for street, travel, casual wildlife, macro, and general snapshot genres.

Sony A55 – The Versatile Entry-Level DSLR for Enthusiasts and Creatives

• You prioritize image quality and low-light performance.
• You seek full manual control and a broader lens ecosystem for creativity.
• Fast, accurate autofocus for sports, wildlife, and action photography is important.
• You produce more serious video projects requiring external audio control.
• Willing to invest in lenses and gear to elevate your photography workflow professionally.

Final Thoughts: Matching Camera to Your Creative Journey

Photography starts with your vision and needs; the right equipment supports that vision without overwhelm.

The Olympus SH-2 is a mighty companion when simplicity, range, and portability matter most. It's a perfect fit if you want one camera that’s ready to explore without fuss or pieces, delivering respectable image quality and steady video.

The Sony A55, despite its age, remains a compelling choice for those wanting to step into DSLR-style photography with solid image quality, lens choice, and more control. Its hybrid SLT design offers unique autofocus speed benefits even today.

Pro Tips for Buyers:

• Test before investing: Hands-on experience with a camera’s grip and menus is invaluable.
• Assess your typical shooting environment: Are you indoors often? Outdoors in challenging light? This greatly impacts sensor suitability.
• Consider lenses as investments: Sony’s A-mount lenses unlock creative potential over time, while Olympus promises convenience.
• Plan for accessories: Batteries, memory cards, and bags all contribute to satisfaction.
• Explore used market deals: Both cameras have matured in the market with friendly secondhand options.

We hope this detailed comparison helps you find the camera that inspires you to capture your world with confidence and joy. Dive in, experiment, and let your creative story unfold!

Happy shooting!

For sample images matching these cameras’ output styles and to explore lens recommendations, check out our related hands-on reviews and tutorials.