Olympus Stylus SH-2: Capture Stunning Shots with Ease

Looking for a camera that combines high-quality images with easy-to-use features? The Olympus Stylus SH-2 might just be what you need. This compact camera boasts a range of advanced functions and a striking design for an effortless shooting experience.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus Stylus SH-2 article cover photo

Key Features

Mar 11 2015

Announced

16 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3'
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight271g
MSRP$449USD

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Overview of the Stylus SH-2

If you're in the market for a versatile camera that's easy to use and captures stunning shots, the Olympus Stylus SH-2 could be your perfect match. This camera has been designed with advanced features and compact design to fit every photographer's needs. Let's dive into the incredible features of the Olympus Stylus SH-2! Built with a 16-megapixel sensor and TruePic VII image processor, this camera produces breathtaking images even in low-light conditions. It also comes equipped with a 24x wide-angle zoom lens, giving you more creative possibilities for your shots. The camera's high-resolution electronic viewfinder ensures accurate framing and a clear view of your subjects, while the 3-inch touchscreen LCD monitor makes it easy to navigate your settings and preview your shots. With the Olympus Stylus SH-2, you can easily capture stunning photos and videos on-the-go, thanks to its sleek design and powerful features. In summary, if you're looking for an exceptional all-in-one camera that combines ease of use and great performance, the Olympus Stylus SH-2 is an excellent choice for you.

Olympus Stylus SH-2 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus Stylus SH-2 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

5-axis image stabilization
16-megapixel resolution
Wi-Fi connectivity
Art filters
1080p Full HD Video recording
TruePic VII image processor
Adjustable LCD screen
Compact and lightweight

Cons

Small sensor size
Fixed lens
Limited zoom range
No EVF
No external flash option
Mediocre low light performance
Slow autofocus in low light
No manual exposure mode

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus Stylus SH-2

Weather sealed
Dimensions109 x 63 x 42mm
Weight271g
Thickness42mm
Weight
Min
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Olympus Stylus SH-2 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Olympus Stylus SH-2 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Stylus SH-2 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus Stylus SH-2 has a 16MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 16 pixels. Olympus Stylus SH-2 has a native ISO range of 125 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Mar 11 2015

Announced

125 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution4608 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus Stylus SH-2 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Stylus SH-2 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/2.3'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Battery Life380 shots
Battery ModelLI-92B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 uses the LI-92B model of battery pack. This is rated for 380 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with null number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus Stylus SH-2?

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus Stylus SH-2 weather sealed?

No the Stylus SH-2 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus Stylus SH-2 announced?

The Olympus Stylus SH-2 was announced on Mar 11 2015

Does the Olympus Stylus SH-2 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Stylus SH-2 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus Stylus SH-2?

The Stylus SH-2 has a native ISO range of 125-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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