• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus SH-2 advantages over Sony A99 II

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    271g vs 849g
    Lighter weight

Sony A99 II advantages over Olympus SH-2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 490 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    61 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-2

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-50
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony A99 II
Olympus SH-50
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Olympus SH-2
Canon SX700 HS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony A99 II
Canon SX700 HS
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-1
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
Sony A99 II
Olympus SH-1
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus SH-2
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D850

Olympus SH-2
Nikon D850
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99 II
Nikon D850
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
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