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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Introduced December 2012
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FX78, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the FX78 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and FX78 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizes.

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The XZ-2 iHS was launched 24 months after the FX78 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up vs the FX78 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Panasonic FX78

 XZ-2 iHS FX78 
ReleasedDecember 2012January 2011More modern by 24 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 FX78 XZ-2 iHS 
Screen sizing3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FX78

 XZ-2 iHS FX78 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS has got outside dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FX78 has specifications of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FX78 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the XZ-2 iHS versus the FX78.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XZ-2 iHS and FX78 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and FX78.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The XZ-2 iHS features the bigger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF simpler. The newer XZ-2 iHS should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography information
Panasonic FX78 Portrait photography information
46
manual focus
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography features
Panasonic FX78 Street photography features
66
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (346 grams)
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography info
Panasonic FX78 Sports photography info
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,400s)
low fps (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography factors
Panasonic FX78 Travel photography factors
61
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (346 grams)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
56
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (200 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography features
Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography features
55
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse mode
36
pretty wide (24mm)
screen larger than average (3.5 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
low battery pack (200 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Vlogging with Panasonic FX78
36
fairly wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
does not feature selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (346 grams)
33
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have mic socket
Photography Glossary

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic FX78
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FX77
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-12-18 2011-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/2.5-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1400 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346 grams (0.76 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 shots 200 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $450 $210