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Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
45
Overall
49
Canon EOS 1100D front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Canon 1100D
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 495g - 130 x 100 x 78mm
  • Introduced April 2011
  • Alternate Name is EOS Rebel T3 / EOS Kiss X50
  • Older Model is Canon 1000D
  • Successor is Canon 1200D
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
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Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 1100D (12MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is relatively close but the 1100D (APS-C) and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The 1100D was unveiled 3 months later than the E-PL2 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Canon 1100D being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the 1100D matches up against the E-PL2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon 1100D over the Olympus E-PL2

 1100D E-PL2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Canon 1100D

 E-PL2 1100D 
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon 1100D and Olympus E-PL2

 1100D E-PL2 
LaunchedApril 2011February 2011Same generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon 1100D comes with outside dimensions of 130mm x 100mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") with a weight of 495 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL2 has proportions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

See the Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the 1100D against the E-PL2.

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the 1100D and E-PL2 is 67 and 85 respectively.

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the gap in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The visual here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1100D and E-PL2.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The 1100D has the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 1100D Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography features
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon 1100D
Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon 1100D Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography information
51
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery life (700 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery (280 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon 1100D Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography factors
53
great battery life (700 CIPA)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 1100D Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography info
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (700 per charge)
small screen (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery (280 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 1100D
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
22
has face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Canon 1100D vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 1100D and Olympus E-PL2
 Canon EOS 1100DOlympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model type Canon EOS 1100D Olympus PEN E-PL2
Also Known as EOS Rebel T3 / EOS Kiss X50 -
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-04-13 2011-02-11
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.2 x 14.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 328.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 4272 x 2848 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 326 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT color LCD, liquid-crystal monitor HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.5x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.20 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (29.97, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 495 grams (1.09 lbs) 362 grams (0.80 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 100 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 62 55
DXO Color Depth rating 21.9 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.2
DXO Low light rating 755 573
Other
Battery life 700 photographs 280 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E10 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $450 $0