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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 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
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 Overview

Below is a detailed comparison of the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is relatively similar but the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and S950 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The XZ-2 iHS was launched 3 years later than the S950 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the XZ-2 iHS scores vs the S950 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Sony S950

 XZ-2 iHS S950 
LaunchedDecember 2012February 2009More recent by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 S950 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony S950

 XZ-2 iHS S950 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS features outer dimensions 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 S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony S950 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the XZ-2 iHS against the S950.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-2 iHS and S950 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and S950.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer XZ-2 iHS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography factors
Sony S950 Portrait photography factors
46
has manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Street photography with Sony S950
66
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (346g)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography factors
Sony S950 Sports photography factors
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery pack (340 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
Sony S950 Travel photography highlights
61
great battery pack (340 CIPA)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (346g)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
50
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography factors
Sony S950 Landscape photography factors
55
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
31
focusing manually
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Vlogging highlights
Sony S950 Vlogging highlights
36
decently wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic port
does not have selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (346 grams)
9
can't record video
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Sony S950
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-12-18 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 8.60 m (ISO 800) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 346 gr (0.76 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Type of battery 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 Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $450 $130