• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Olympus SH-1

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus SH-1 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    271g vs 357g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    16 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus XZ-2
Olympus XZ-2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-1
Olympus SH-1
All SH-1 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

  • Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon G15

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G15
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G15

Olympus SH-1
Canon G15
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus SH-1 vs Canon G15

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

Olympus SH-1
Pentax MX-1
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax MX-1

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Olympus XZ-2
Olympus SH-50
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Olympus SH-50

Olympus SH-1
Olympus SH-50
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus SH-1 vs Olympus SH-50

Compared to Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

Olympus SH-1
Canon G16
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SH-1 vs Canon G16

Compared to Olympus SH-2

Olympus XZ-2
Olympus SH-2
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Olympus SH-2

Olympus SH-1
Olympus SH-2
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability

Compare Olympus SH-1 vs Olympus SH-2

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