Clicky

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 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 SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 2012
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and SZ5 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The XZ-2 iHS was launched 6 months later than the SZ5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the XZ-2 iHS grades against the SZ5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Panasonic SZ5

 XZ-2 iHS SZ5 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 SZ5 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic SZ5

 XZ-2 iHS SZ5 
RevealedDecember 2012July 2012Same generation
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS provides external measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Examine the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS versus the SZ5.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and SZ5 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The photograph below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-2 iHS and SZ5.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS because of its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic SZ5 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
has face detect focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography factors
66
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors in class (346 grams)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has tracking focus
better than average battery (340 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography information
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography information
61
better than average battery (340 shots)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (346 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than others in class (136g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
55
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (340 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse recording
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging advice
Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
36
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (346 grams)
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Panasonic SZ5
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus XZ-2 iHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-12-18 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed - 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 346g (0.76 lbs) 136g (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 250 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-90B -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $450 $195