Olympus announced the new SH-2 fixed lens compact camera. The SH line takes inspiration from the PEN design. It has a 16Megapixel 1/2.3″ sensor, a 25-600m lens, 5-axis image stabilization and 1080/60p video. You can preorder it at BHphoto (Click here).
Hands-on at Dpreview. Spanish press at DSLRmagazine. Press at ThePhoBlographer.
31 Responses
Come on Olympus, if even this camera can have 1080/60 then why not the E-m1?
So you can buy the E-M1 mkII 😉
If this were a Tough camera I’d be tempted
What happened to getting out of unprofitable point & shoots?
I guess the super zoom category still kinda holds. Besides, it doesn’t cost them much to change the name from SH-1 to SH-2, put updated firmware in it and issue a press release. Because that’s all this is.
They can probably “upgrade” their unsold inventory of SH-1 as well. That’s better than trying to sell for pennies 🙂
It isn’t a point’n’shoot, it is a compact camera.
Point and shoot cameras are with a fixed focal length or wide to normal range zooms that goes to very small size. Compact cameras are bigger ones with telephoto zooms.
LOL! ….its a point-and-shoot.
Olympus is one of the companies that really have down-sized its compact camera line-up. The regular P&S models (V series) are gone, both the superzoom/travel zoom (S series) and tough compacts (TG series) have fewer models than before, and the enthusiast models are now reduced to the Stylus 1, the XZ series having been discontinued (temporarily, at least)..
This area of cameras is still profitable.
Makes no sense to me…but whatever?
This camera makes no sense to me, but good luck, Olympus. Now get to work on the EM1 Mark II with the new high DR, low noise geomembrane 18mp sensor and add some new tricks like handheld hi-res and in-camera panoramas. A new, higher capacity battery would also be much appreciated.
I think ho hum too, a lot to pay for 5-axis and 1:2.3. I wonder how these cameras play in the home market. I had a 20x 1:2.3 that I took to Scout Camp last year,which, with good sun everyday, had no trouble with reasonably low ISO values and decent shutter speeds. I would say the pictures beat the pants off phone pictures, but I would not rate them “sharp as a tack.” That’s the rub, very good is not the same as excellent. The big question here is whether the 5-axis situation allows the automation to back away from the noise reduction, and whether the optics deliver on sharpness. If so, and that is a big IFF, an argument can be made. Otherwise, it is just another among many, and not especially worthy of the asking price. That cameras of this sort pull off so much is no shabby feat. They are an amazing bang for the buck and are light-years better than phones. In that sense they have become awesome because there is a new, most badly inferior camera on the block. Against more expensive cameras with larger sensors, however, they remain in the wannabe category where the only fair question is how much you can afford. If this camera fits or slightly stretches the financial parameter, it is fantastic.
This is yet another small point and shoot, right, not a 4/3?
Maybe you should read the first sentence to find out!
Well, I did read the url.
What a boring camera.
Looks like a Fuji. But to me, it looks like inventory. Between smartphones and camera users, who’s buying this?
Seems like Olympus likes piling boxes.
Compacts still outsell interchangeable lens cameras, if CIPA’s shipment data is any indication. So, obviously there are a few million people out there who still prefer these cameras over a smartphone.
These travel zooms sell well and is one of the segments camera makers can make money. I have a Fuji f770 that I use for vacations. It fits in a cargo pocket and does a good job, especially with the RAW files. With the 5 Axis IS, this might replace my Fuji.
It’s not for worthless cheapskate trolls like you, MrALLCRAP.
I like it.
25-600mm, 5-axis sounds pretty awesome in a small, stylish package like this.
The thing is… that’s not an XZ-3 which is what Oly users (including me) cry for.
A great looking little compact. Huge focal range and quite thin. I own the Stylus 1 and I think it is the same sensor. Of course this is a beautiful slim camera that can be quite practical in good light
But if one is looking for a bit better IQ and low light performance then there are the Sony RX100m3 and Canon g7x. Just a bit thicker but much better in low light The Canon G7X gets a 71 vs Sony RX100 m3 69 at DXO as far as sensor. I opted for the G7X as I have also a Sony RX100. As the Canon has a longer focal range and lens us a bit brighter. I also love the touch to focus and shoot I just don’t understand why Sony does not have Touch LCD The Sony has more features and a bit better video and of course the EvF so for those in very sunny areas the Sony might work out better. If one can affort both the Canon G7X or Rx100 m3. And the Olympus SH-2 for its compactness and long focal range then that is the way to go :). Of course the problem with this little sensor is that in lower light the IQ falls apart in the SH-2. VS the Sony and Canon which remains quite usable I think the Olympus menu is quite nice and they always include lots of options and of course Touch To Focus and shoot. As I own the Sony HX50 with similar focal range I will hold off but I would be willing to trade it in for the SH-20
Ever since Panasonic introduced their first travel zoom TZ1 this type of camera has been the best seller in P&S compacts and for good reason given their versatility combined with small size and probably outsell all m4/3 products in the US market. And remember these compacts with at least F3.3 at the most used wider focal lengths are faster than most DSLRs and m4/3 with std lenses so also good indoors and for macro without adding another lens. However with a price of $400 this camera except among Oly fans will find it harder to compete against the likes of Panys new TZ70 or ZC50 which not only has same 5 axis IS, raw, but includes a small EVF and higher resolution rear LCD screen all for the same $400 price and has a range of 25-720mm. It used to be these camera had slow AF hence not good for action sports animals but not now as the latest Pany ZS50 just as fast AF as their top m4/3 models and resolution fine for 8×10 inch prints.or displaying on your camera or computer screens.
I owned a travel zoom many years ago but would never imagine 5 axis IS and EVF are coming into a compact camera today. $400 definitely sounds good.
sooooo… basically nothing to do with MFT?
Why would a fixed-lens camera have anything to do with MFT?
As you can see at the top of this page, this site is about “Panasonic and Olympus Digital Camera News”. 43rumors is just the name of the web site, it’s not a complete description of its subject matter.
Ah. Of course. This site accidentally overlooks most news and rumors on all the other point-and-shoot cameras from Olympus and Panasonic then?
No, I can recall more than a few occasions when this site have reported on compact cameras, but let’s face it, most compact cameras aren’t that interesting, so the admin probably only write posts about those he thinks the readers of this site would be interested in.
Most of those had MFT equivalent sensors with fixed lenses. Honestly, anyone considering a cheap P&S should consider an older PEN or GF camera as a way better alternative to even the newest P&S if the sensor is smaller than MFT.
Where is the digital TRIP already?!