Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic GH3

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic GH3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and GH3 (16MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and GH3 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The XZ-2 iHS was released 4 months after the GH3 which means that they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the XZ-2 iHS grades versus the GH3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3. The complete galleries are available at Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery and Panasonic GH3 Gallery.

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS offers external measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Panasonic GH3 has proportions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") and a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic GH3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the XZ-2 iHS compared to the GH3.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and GH3 is 85 and 66 respectively.

Often, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the XZ-2 iHS and GH3.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The XZ-2 iHS featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic GH3 will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively.