Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic G6

Cameras
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Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic G6

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1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Olympus XZ-2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XZ-2.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G6 Review.

Succeeded by the Panasonic G7
Compare G6 vs G7
Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic G7

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Differences

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Panasonic G6

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
48 mm vs 71 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Panasonic G6 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 1.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.90 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
G6 test data on DxO Mark XZ-2 test data on DxO Mark

639 vs 216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
More pixels
16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
6.2 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 4 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
7 vs 3 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Olympus XZ-2

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Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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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

We haven’t reviewed the Panasonic G6.
Read our Panasonic G6 Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic G5

$470
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$500
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic G5

Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$500
4/3

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Panasonic G5

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

Panasonic G6

Canon G15

$399
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$650
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic G6 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

Panasonic G6

Pentax MX-1

$399
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$399
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Pentax MX-1

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

Panasonic G6

Canon G16

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$499
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Canon G16

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic G7

$470
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Integrated ND filter

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7

$399
4/3

Less expensive
NFC

$498
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Panasonic G7

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