• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 288.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic SZ8 advantages over Olympus SH-2

  • Less expensive
    $170 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    159g vs 271g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus SH-2 advantages over Panasonic SZ8

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 288 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 1.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ8
Panasonic SZ8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-2 (Silver)
  • Olympus SH-2 (Silver)
  • Olympus SH-2 (Black)

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S6300

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6300
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6300

Olympus SH-2
Nikon S6300
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $197
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Nikon S6300

Compared to Nikon S6400

Panasonic SZ8
Nikon S6400
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • HDMI out

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Nikon S6400

Olympus SH-2
Nikon S6400
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Nikon S6400

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Panasonic SZ8
Olympus SH-50
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs 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

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus SH-50

Compared to Samsung WB50F

Panasonic SZ8
Samsung WB50F
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Samsung WB50F

Olympus SH-2
Samsung WB50F
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Samsung WB50F

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Panasonic SZ8
Olympus SH-1
  • $226
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic SZ8 vs Olympus SH-1

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

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus SH-1

Compare Other Cameras?