Panasonic GF7 vs Olympus SH-2

Cameras
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Panasonic GF7 vs Olympus SH-2

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GF7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GF7.
Compare Panasonic GF7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GF7 conclusion.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.0 megapixels
25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Olympus SH-2 Review.

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Differences

Panasonic GF7 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.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.77 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
346k vs 154k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
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
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 GF7

Less expensive
$400 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

380 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
16 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GF7 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SH-2 User Reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF7

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Pink)

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Buy the Olympus SH-2

Olympus SH-2 (Silver)

Olympus SH-2 (Silver)
Olympus SH-2 (Black)

Review Excerpt

Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.
Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.
Read our Panasonic GF7 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus SH-2.
Read our Olympus SH-2 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SH-50

Panasonic GF7

Olympus SH-50

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF7 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 Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL6

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Olympus E-PL6

Olympus SH-2

Olympus E-PL6

$499
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Wi-Fi

$299
4/3

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Olympus SH-1

Panasonic GF7

Olympus SH-1

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$349
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF7 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

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Olympus SH-2

Panasonic GM5

$499
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

Olympus SH-2

Panasonic GX850

$499
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus SH-2 vs Panasonic GX850

Compare Other Cameras?