Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic SZ10: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Visual Storytellers

When weighing cameras, especially from the same brand but wildly different categories, the comparison can get tricky but rewarding. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 (hereafter “GH2”) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 (“SZ10”) present such a case: two options aimed at two disparate user groups yet sharing the same Panasonic lineage. The GH2, an advanced mirrorless camera announced in 2011, is a serious tool revered among enthusiasts and some professionals. The SZ10, on the other hand, released in 2015, epitomizes convenience-packed, lightweight superzoom compacts designed for casual everyday shooting.

Having put both through hours of rigorous, hands-on field testing across multiple photographic disciplines, I’ll walk you through an intensive, side-by-side assessment covering real-world performance, technical prowess, and image output. This isn’t about specs on paper alone - it’s about what each camera truly delivers in the trenches.

At First Glance: Two Worlds Apart in Design and Ergonomics

The design philosophies behind these two Panasonic models could not be more different, which is evident when you look at their physical forms side-by-side.

The GH2 sports a classic SLR-style mirrorless body, substantial at 442 grams with a solid grip and well-considered button layout for quick manual control access. Compared to the ultra-compact, pocket-friendly SZ10 that weighs just 177 grams and fits neatly into a jacket pocket, the GH2 feels unmistakably pro-grade. The SZ10’s minimalistic control scheme is designed around easy point-and-shoot operation, with fewer dive-into-settings opportunities.

For those who prioritize a camera as an extension of their hand with tactile feedback and manual dials, the GH2’s heft and physicality enhance shooting comfort - particularly during extended sessions. Compact cameras like the SZ10 cater to casual shooters eager not to fuss with settings, offering tilt screens for versatile angles but lacking the ergonomics for complex shooting styles.

Control and Interface – How Do They Handle?

Turning our attention upwards to their control surfaces, we find yet more evidence of their divergent target users.

The GH2 impresses with an array of dedicated buttons and dials on its top deck. Manual exposure control (shutter speed, aperture priority, exposure compensation) is fittingly at the forefront, underpinned by a reliable Venus Engine FHD processor powering responsive command execution. The external hot shoe enables flash flexibility - a must for many portrait and event photographers.

The SZ10’s top deck is pared down, reflective of a camera designed for simplicity - no manual exposure modes, no shutter priority, no physical ISO dial. This is pretty much a “point, frame, shoot” device by design. A built-in flash and lens with 12× zoom sit at the ready, ready to capture wide landscape vistas or tight subjects.

For photographers who want full shooting autonomy, the GH2 handily wins - the SZ10 is more of a grab-and-go travel companion.

Sensor Technology - The Heart of Image Quality

This is where the major gulf begins. The GH2 employs a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm with 16-megapixel resolution. The SZ10, in contrast, uses a tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.08x4.56 mm), also 16 megapixels.

Why does sensor size matter? Larger sensors gather more light, yielding better image quality with superior detail, wider dynamic range, and notably improved low-light performance. The GH2’s 224.9 mm² sensor surface dwarfs the SZ10’s 27.72 mm² by a factor of over eight. Consequently, despite similar pixel counts, the GH2’s pixels capture a lot more light, reducing noise and preserving tonal transitions.

The GH2’s CMOS sensor coupled with the Venus Engine FHD delivers vibrant colors, excellent color depth (21.2 bits per DxO measurement), and high dynamic range (11.3 EV), ensuring that challenging scenes - like sunsets or shadowed forests - retain detail in both highlights and shadows. The SZ10, with its CCD, struggles in comparison, notably in low light where noise and chromatic aberrations become pronounced at ISO 800 and above.

For enthusiasts focused on image quality, especially in landscapes and portraits, the GH2’s sensor advantage is decisive.

Live View and Display – Articulated Fun or Simple Viewing?

Both models feature 3-inch LCD screens at 460k dot resolution, but the GH2’s screen technology and articulating design put it head and shoulders above the SZ10 in terms of framing flexibility and shooting experience.

The GH2’s fully articulated screen is a boon for macro shooters, videographers, or anyone who needs to compose at challenging angles (such as street photographers crouching low or overhead). Its touchscreen responsiveness further enhances navigation through menus and playback.

Meanwhile, the SZ10’s tilting screen is simpler - no touch functionality, no articulation beyond a limited tilt range. For casual photographers, this might be sufficient, but it lacks the finesse required for more creative or technical work.

The absence of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on both means relying on the LCD, but the GH2’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) option, featuring 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification, provides an additional advantage for bright-light shooting and precise composition - something the SZ10 cannot match.

Autofocus System – Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus is critical in wildlife, sports, and street photography, where subjects rarely remain static.

The GH2 boasts 23 autofocus points, including contrast-detection AF with face detection and continuous tracking capabilities. Though lacking phase-detection AF (which debuted later in mirrorless), its system is responsive, precise, and reliable under varied lighting conditions. I found autofocus to lock within a fraction of a second in good light - tracking a flock of birds mid-flight or sports players moving rapidly.

The SZ10, by contrast, has just 9 AF points, primarily center-weighted, and no AF tracking. It relies on contrast detection but with noticeable lag and hunting in low light or when subjects move quickly, often resulting in missed shots. This makes tackling dynamic scenes frustrating.

For professionals or serious hobbyists, GH2’s focus system offers a major edge. The SZ10 suits well-lit, static subjects.

Burst Shooting and Continuous Performance

High frame rates matter when freezing sports action or wildlife behavior.

The GH2 can fire continuously at 3 frames per second (fps) - respectable for its era and sensor size. While 3 fps isn't blazing-fast compared to top-tier DSLRs, it’s sufficient for moderate sports or candid street shooting. I tested the buffer depth, and it comfortably records bursts of about 10 RAW shots before slowing down, depending on card speed.

The SZ10 only manages about 1.4 fps continuous shooting, and the proprietary CCD sensor coupled with slower processor limits buffer speed and duration noticeably.

Photographers focused on capturing decisive moments will appreciate the GH2’s burst capability.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts extensive weather sealing, but again the build quality and robustness differ.

The GH2, being aimed more at enthusiasts, sports a sturdy magnesium alloy/chassis with a firm grip and feels robust in hand. Not exactly weatherproof, but it can handle moderate environmental challenges with reasonable care.

The SZ10’s compact, plastic body feels lightweight and less durable, oriented toward casual handling indoors or on well-maintained trips.

If you are shooting outdoors, travel, or in somewhat demanding environments, the GH2 is better suited.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

The GH2 is a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) mount camera, giving it access to an extensive library of lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties like Sigma and Tamron.

With over 100 lenses compatible, ranging from ultrawide primes to supertelephoto zooms, and excellent macro lenses, the GH2 offers immense creative freedom to tailor your kit for portraits, wildlife, landscapes, or video.

By contrast, the SZ10 has a fixed lens with a 24-288mm equivalent zoom and variable aperture f/3.1-6.3 - a decent range for casual use but with limited optical quality and no option to swap lenses.

This makes the GH2 a compelling tool for professionals or serious hobbyists who demand versatility, whereas the SZ10 suits travel convenience or casual photography.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery endurance impacts how long you can shoot without interruption.

The GH2 uses a proprietary battery allowing approximately 330 shots per charge under CIPA standards, which is respectable for a mirrorless. Extended shooting can be supported by spare batteries, which are affordable and widely available.

The SZ10 offers about 200 shots per charge - lower by design due to its compact size and smaller battery capacity.

Both use SD cards, but the GH2 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card formats and generally benefits from higher speed cards especially for burst modes and video recording. The SZ10, aside from SD card slots, includes limited internal storage, a useful backup but insufficient for extensive shooting.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity is key for modern workflows and sharing.

The GH2, due to its 2011 release, offers limited connectivity options: USB 2.0 and HDMI out, but no Wi-Fi or wireless syncing.

The SZ10, surprisingly for a compact from 2015, includes built-in wireless connectivity (unspecified as Wi-Fi but intended for image transfer), but lacks NFC or Bluetooth. No HDMI port excludes external recording or viewing.

Neither model offers GPS.

This reflects their era and market targets, but the GH2’s wired interface better serves professional transfer routines, while the SZ10 aims for basic sharing ease.

Video Capabilities: From Full HD to Casual HD

Both cameras support video recording but at different levels of sophistication.

The GH2 shoots Full HD (1920x1080) at 24, 30, and 60 fps using AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats, coupled with an external microphone jack - a huge plus for video creators. This flexibility lends itself to professional use, from interviews to documentary work, with decent manual exposure control during video capture.

The SZ10 maxes out at 720p HD at 30 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG only, without manual control or external microphone input.

Cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers will certainly prefer the GH2, which continues to have a strong cult following for video despite its age.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Strengths and Weaknesses

To give this comparison more tactile meaning, I’ll break down each camera’s suitability for key photography disciplines.

Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back Panasonic SZ10 front Panasonic SZ10 screen back

Portrait Photography

• GH2: Excellent skin tone rendition thanks to larger sensor and fleshtone-sensitive color processing. Fast, accurate face detection autofocus locks eyes reliably. The ability to use fast MFT lenses with wide apertures creates smooth, pleasing bokeh. Articulated touchscreen aids compositions.
• SZ10: Modest portrait output, limited by small sensor and fixed lens aperture. Background blur is minimal, and skin tones appear more flat under mixed lighting. No selective AF or eye detection features.

Winner: GH2 for serious portrait work.

Landscape Photography

• GH2: Wide dynamic range reveals shadow and highlight details beautifully. Higher resolution files (4608x3456) provide strong print potential. Weather resistant build encourages outdoor use with trusted lenses.
• SZ10: Good for casual snap landscapes but struggles with dynamic range and suffers from softness at wide zoom extents. Virtually no weather sealing.

Winner: GH2, unmistakably.

Wildlife Photography

• GH2: Fast burst with AF tracking, decent autofocus area options, and compatibility with long telephoto MFT lenses. Reasonable frame rates and sharp output.
• SZ10: Limited reach despite 12× zoom, AF sluggishness causes missed shots on animals in motion.

Winner: GH2 hands down.

Sports Photography

• GH2: 3 fps and AF tracking sufficient for moderate sports action. Manual controls support creative exposure adjustments for tricky gym or stadium lighting.
• SZ10: Low burst rate and sluggish AF limit ability to capture fast sports moments.

Winner: GH2.

Street Photography

• GH2: Bulkier size but powered with silent electronic shutter options (though limited), articulated screen for low/high angles, and strong low light abilities down to ISO 1600 with manageable noise.
• SZ10: Highly portable and discrete, makes candid shooting easy. However, suffers in low light; slower AF inhibits fast capture.

Winner: Depends - portability favors SZ10, but image quality and flexibility favor GH2.

Macro Photography

• GH2: Manual focus, focus peaking, and articulation make close-up work and focusing precision excellent. Compatible with dedicated macro lenses yielding impressive magnification.
• SZ10: Fixed lens without dedicated macro mode limits close focusing capabilities.

Winner: GH2 provides serious macro control.

Night and Astro Photography

• GH2: Larger sensor with low noise performance excels at high ISO needed for astrophotography or nightscape images, combined with manual exposure control.
• SZ10: Sensor noise and lack of manual options hamper night image quality.

Winner: GH2, clearly superior.

Video Work

• GH2: Full HD recording at 60p, external mic input, and manual video controls suit both enthusiast and some professional video work.
• SZ10: 720p, no mic input - casual home video only.

Winner: GH2 for video shooters.

Travel Photography

• GH2: Versatile, but relatively heavy and bulky for travel. Battery life and lens options make it more a serious kit than a lightweight travel option.
• SZ10: Ultra-lightweight, decent zoom range, compact size, easy for snapshots while traveling.

Winner: SZ10 for casual travelers; GH2 if you want high quality and don’t mind size.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

• GH2: RAW support, extensive manual controls, tethering possible via USB, blend well into professional workflows. Solid build quality and lens flexibility.
• SZ10: No RAW support, limited controls, and lack of external inputs significantly restrict professional scope.

Winner: GH2 is well suited for professional efforts.

Overall Performance Ratings

Our comprehensive performance scoring consolidates these findings.

The GH2 rates solidly above the SZ10 in virtually every category except for portability and simple usability, reflecting its professional design philosophy.

Pricing and Value: What Are You Paying For?

At launch, the GH2 had an MSRP around $1000 (body only), while the SZ10 was priced near $200 as a budget compact.

Given that the GH2 is now discontinued, prices vary on the used market, but its capabilities overshadow the SZ10’s modest price. The SZ10 offers unbeatable portability and superzoom convenience at rock-bottom cost but sacrifices most creative and technical options.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

In short: if image quality, manual control, and creative flexibility matter most, the Panasonic Lumix GH2 decisively outclasses the SZ10. Its Four Thirds sensor, extensive lens options, articulated touchscreen, and video features place it firmly in the advanced enthusiast and low-level professional category.

Conversely, the Panasonic SZ10 is a competent, compact companion for casual photographers prioritizing convenience, zoom range, and pocketability above all else. It is ideal for snapshot travel, family events, and simple daily use without fuss.

Here is a quick breakdown:

Both cameras have their place, but the GH2’s proven legacy among enthusiasts makes it an enduring choice if you can handle its form factor and cost. The SZ10 remains an admirable everyday compact but won’t satisfy the demands of advanced users.

In making your camera choice, keep in mind your style, budget, and use cases, and weigh sensor size, autofocus, lens versatility, and ergonomics accordingly. After all, the best camera is the one that fits your creative vision and connects you effortlessly to the moments you want to capture.

Appendix: Specifications Snapshot

By blending technical depth with practical, real-world insights, I trust this comparison arms you well to pick the right Panasonic camera for your creative needs. If you have questions or want tailored recommendations, feel free to reach out. I’m always eager to discuss and explore new photographic gear alongside dedicated enthusiasts.