• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Olympus SH-2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 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
    ~ 3.77 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
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.7 vs f/3.0
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus SH-2 advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    271g vs 393g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic LX100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-2

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
Olympus SH-2
Sony RX100 III
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus SH-2
Canon G7X
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Panasonic LX100
Olympus SH-50
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-50
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Panasonic LX100
Olympus SH-1
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-1
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic LX100
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus SH-2
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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