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Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
57
Imaging
49
Features
50
Overall
49
Canon EOS 40D front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Canon 40D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2007
  • Succeeded the Canon 30D
  • Later Model is Canon 50D
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL3
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Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon 40D versus Olympus E-PL2, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 40D (10MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the 40D (APS-C) and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The 40D was launched 4 years earlier than the E-PL2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon 40D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the 40D scores against the E-PL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 40D over the Olympus E-PL2

 40D E-PL2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Canon 40D

 E-PL2 40D 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011October 2007Newer by 40 months
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon 40D and Olympus E-PL2

 40D E-PL2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon 40D has exterior dimensions of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") along with a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has sizing of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Analyze the Canon 40D versus Olympus E-PL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the 40D vs the E-PL2.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 40D and E-PL2 is 57 and 85 respectively.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at technical specs. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 40D and E-PL2.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 40D featuring a larger sensor will make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-PL2 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged 40D is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 40D Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography highlights
59
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (10MP)
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon 40D as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
56
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon 40D as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
53
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery power (800 CIPA)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (280 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon 40D Travel photography features
Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography features
48
weather sealing
built-in flash
bad battery power (800 per charge)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (280 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 40D Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
58
manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
bad battery power (800 shots)
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
bad battery power (280 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 40D Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging details
9
no video
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone jack
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Canon 40D vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 40D and Olympus E-PL2
 Canon EOS 40DOlympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model Canon EOS 40D Olympus PEN E-PL2
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2007-10-24 2011-02-11
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.2 x 14.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 328.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 3888 x 2592 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 326 107
Crop factor 1.6 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.5fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 822 gr (1.81 lbs) 362 gr (0.80 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 64 55
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 10.2
DXO Low light score 703 573
Other
Battery life 800 photographs 280 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $1,099 $0