Clicky

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V 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
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony HX9V, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and HX9V (16MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and HX9V (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor measurements.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The XZ-2 iHS was announced 18 months after the HX9V which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up versus the HX9V in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Sony HX9V

 XZ-2 iHS HX9V 
RevealedDecember 2012July 2011More modern by 18 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 HX9V XZ-2 iHS 
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony HX9V

 XZ-2 iHS HX9V 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS enjoys external measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony HX9V in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the XZ-2 iHS and the HX9V.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and HX9V is 85 and 91 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The pic below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-2 iHS and HX9V.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The XZ-2 iHS with its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX9V will provide you with extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent XZ-2 iHS will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Portrait photography with Sony HX9V
46
you can focus manually
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
39
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography highlights
Sony HX9V Street photography highlights
66
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (346 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography factors
Sony HX9V Sports photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery (340 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
61
good battery (340 per charge)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (346g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (340 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse mode
49
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony HX9V Vlogging highlights
36
decently wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (346 grams)
33
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony HX9V
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-12-18 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346 gr (0.76 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model Li-90B NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $450 $328