Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2
85 Imaging
66 Features
76 Overall
70
![Canon EOS M3 front Canon EOS M3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Canon-EOS-M3/Canon-M3-front.jpg)
![Olympus PEN E-PL2 front Olympus PEN E-PL2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2/Olympus-E-PL2-front.jpg)
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
47
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 366g - 111 x 68 x 44mm
- Introduced February 2015
- Successor is Canon M6
(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
- Released February 2011
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the M3 (24MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) and the M3 (APS-C) and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
The M3 was brought out 4 years after the E-PL2 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summation of how the M3 scores versus the E-PL2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon EOS M3 & Olympus PEN E-PL2. The entire galleries are available at Canon M3 Gallery & Olympus E-PL2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M3 over the Olympus E-PL2
M3 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 49 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+580k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Canon M3
E-PL2 | M3 |
---|
Common features in the Canon M3 and Olympus E-PL2
M3 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon M3 features outer dimensions of 111mm x 68mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") having a weight of 366 grams (0.81 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL2 has dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).
Contrast the Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the M3 compared to the E-PL2.
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability grade of the M3 and E-PL2 is 85 and 85 respectively.
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The pic below will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M3 and E-PL2.
As you can tell, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The M3 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Canon M3 will result in more detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher M3 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder
![Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Canon-EOS-M3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Canon M3 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications
Canon EOS M3 | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon EOS M3 | Olympus PEN E-PL2 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-02-06 | 2011-02-11 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 6 | Truepic V |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Highest resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4032 x 3024 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Highest boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 23 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 4.2 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, off, slow synchro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 366 grams (0.81 lb) | 362 grams (0.80 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 68 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 72 | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.8 | 10.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 1169 | 573 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 images | 280 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E17 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $481 | $0 |