• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic ZS20 advantages over Olympus SH-2

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    207g vs 271g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Olympus SH-2 advantages over Panasonic ZS20

  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 220 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 480 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    16 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus SH-2

Review Excerpt

  • Very long zoom lens; Full HD video; Great grip; Built-in GPS; HDR and Handheld Night Shot modes.

  • Poor image quality due to excessive noise suppression; Flash too close to the grip; No GPS logging; Battery only charges in the camera; Limited touchscreen.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS10
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Faster shutter
Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS10
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster shutter

Compared to Panasonic ZS8

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS8
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS8
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic ZS19

Panasonic ZS20
Panasonic ZS19
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
Olympus SH-2
Panasonic ZS19
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Panasonic ZS20
Olympus SH-50
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Thinner
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • 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 ZS20
Olympus SH-1
  • $217
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus SH-2
Olympus SH-1
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
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