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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Samsung NX5 front
Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
50
Overall
52

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 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
  • Revealed December 2012
Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Revealed June 2010
Photography Glossary

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Samsung NX5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is fairly well matched but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and NX5 (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The XZ-2 iHS was announced 2 years after the NX5 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a short overview of how the XZ-2 iHS grades versus the NX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Samsung NX5

 XZ-2 iHS NX5 
RevealedDecember 2012June 2010Newer by 32 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 NX5 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Samsung NX5

 XZ-2 iHS NX5 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS has physical 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) whilst the Samsung NX5 has proportions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Samsung NX5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS versus the NX5.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-2 iHS and NX5 is 85 and 80 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the XZ-2 iHS and NX5.

Clearly, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The XZ-2 iHS having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Samsung NX5 will resolve more detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher XZ-2 iHS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography info
Samsung NX5 Portrait photography info
46
manual focus
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
72
manual focus
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX5 as a Street photography camera
66
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
small sensor size (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors (346 grams)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography factors
Samsung NX5 Sports photography factors
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery life (340 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
52
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (400 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX5 as a Travel photography camera
61
better than average battery life (340 shots)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (346g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
62
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (499 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung NX5 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
68
manual focus
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (400 per charge)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging factors
Samsung NX5 Vlogging factors
36
quite wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (346g)
24
offers face detect autofocus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
heavier than competitors (499g)
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Samsung NX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Samsung NX5
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSSamsung NX5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Samsung NX5
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-12-18 2010-06-01
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - DRIM Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 15
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 4.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346 grams (0.76 pounds) 499 grams (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 400 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $450 $499