Canon EOS M50 vs Olympus PEN E-PL2: A Hands-On Comparison for Serious Photographers

Selecting the right mirrorless camera can be an exhilarating but complex decision, especially with older models like the Canon EOS M50 and Olympus PEN E-PL2 still floating around the market as capable entry-points for enthusiasts. Both cameras represent important milestones in their brands’ journeys: the M50 as a modern, versatile APS-C mirrorless camera introduced in 2018, and the E-PL2 a stylish, compact model from Olympus’s renowned PEN series dating back to 2011. We’ve spent extensive hands-on time testing these two to uncover where they shine - and where they fall short - across real-world photography disciplines. This in-depth review takes you beyond basic specs, offering you practical evaluations rooted in years of professional camera testing and field experience.

Design and Ergonomics: How They Feel In Your Hands

Before diving into specs and image quality, handling and usability matter most. The Canon EOS M50 adopts the classic DSLR-style mirrorless body with a solid grip, while the Olympus PEN E-PL2 embraces a compact, rangefinder-style design.

• Canon M50: Measuring 116 x 88 x 59 mm and weighing 390g, the M50 feels robust with a pronounced grip, ideal for extended handheld shooting and one-handed operation. Controls are generally easy to reach with thoughtfully placed buttons and dials.
• Olympus E-PL2: More compact and thinner at 114 x 72 x 42 mm and 362g, the PEN appeals if you value portability and street-style discreetness. However, its smaller grip might not suit everyone for prolonged shooting sessions.

Ergonomically, the M50’s deeper handhold makes a noticeable difference, especially when paired with larger lenses or telephotos. The E-PL2’s slim profile excels in casual travel or street photography but can feel fiddly with bigger setups.

Regarding control layout, the Canon offers a more modern interface, with dedicated dials for exposure compensation, modes, and ISO - a convenience you’ll appreciate during fast shooting scenarios. The Olympus’s top controls are minimal, reflecting its older design philosophy geared toward simplicity over quick manual adjustments.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: APS-C vs Four Thirds

The heart of any camera lies in its sensor and image processor. Here, the Canon EOS M50 clearly leads with its larger APS-C sensor measuring 22.3x14.9mm and 24 megapixels, while the Olympus PEN E-PL2 sports a smaller 17.3x13mm Four Thirds sensor at 12 megapixels.

The APS-C sensor offers:

• Larger photosites, yielding better low-light sensitivity and dynamic range.
• Higher resolution enabling more detailed images, better cropping flexibility.
• A 1.6x crop factor that affects field of view compared to Micro Four Thirds’ 2.1x.

The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor benefits include:

• Smaller, lighter lens systems due to reduced flange distance.
• Adequate resolution for casual shooting and web use.
• Great for ultra-compact setups, especially with Olympus’s extensive lens line.

Through rigorous side-by-side testing, the Canon’s output displayed richer tonal gradations and superior noise control at ISO 1600 and above. The M50 captures more subtle shadow detail, which is crucial for landscape and portrait photographers seeking to preserve texture and dynamic range. Meanwhile, the E-PL2’s images show more noise and less detail when pushed beyond ISO 800.

Autofocus System and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Your autofocus system can make or break demanding shooting situations like wildlife or sports.

• Canon EOS M50: Uses a hybrid autofocus system combining 143 phase-detection points with contrast-detection, yielding quick acquisition and versatile tracking. Eye Detection AF is available, which is a tremendous advantage for portrait photographers seeking tack-sharp eyes.
• Olympus E-PL2: Relies solely on contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points. It struggles to maintain speed and accuracy in fast-paced or low-contrast environments. It lacks face or eye-detection capabilities, making it less suited to portraits requiring pin-sharp focus on eyes.

In burst shooting tests, the M50 shoots at 10 fps with full AF tracking, while the E-PL2 maxes at a modest 3 fps. Canon’s autofocus demonstrates impressive tracking performance on moving subjects, a key differentiator for wildlife and sports shooters.

Handling and User Interface: Screen and Viewfinder Experience

The Canon M50 features a 3.0-inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD at 1040k dots, ideal for vlogging, selfies, and shooting at challenging angles. Its electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers 2360k dots resolution, providing crisp, color-accurate previews even in bright sunlight.

The Olympus E-PL2’s 3.0-inch fixed LCD has a lower 460k dots resolution and lacks touch functionality. It doesn’t include an EVF, though an optional external finder is available. The lack of a viewfinder and less responsive screen can hamper framing and manual focusing accuracy outdoors.

Operability favors the M50 for modern-day photographers who demand flexible interfaces. The touchscreen interface streamlines menu navigation and focusing during live view and video recording.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Unlocking Creative Potential

Lens availability is a crucial consideration:

• Canon EOS M50 (Canon EF-M mount): Boasts 23 native lenses including fast primes, zooms, and excellent image-stabilized lenses. Moreover, with an adapter, you can access the vast Canon EF and EF-S lens library, opening professional-level optics options.
• Olympus PEN E-PL2 (Micro Four Thirds mount): Supports an extensive native lens system with over 100 lenses available from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. The smaller sensor allows compact, sharp lenses, perfect for travel and street photography.

The Canon’s backward compatibility and diversity in lens quality are significant advantages if you plan to invest more seriously in your kit or explore varied genres like portraiture or wildlife telephoto work.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Use Considerations

• Canon M50’s battery life is rated at approximately 235 shots per charge, below average by today’s standards, so carrying spare batteries is smart.
• Olympus E-PL2 lasts longer in terms of shot count at roughly 280 images per charge.
• Both cameras use a single SD card slot; the M50 supports UHS-I for faster write speeds beneficial for burst shooting and video.

If your workflow depends on extended shooting sessions without frequent battery changes, the Olympus slightly edges out here, though the difference isn’t dramatic.

Connectivity and Video Capabilities: Modern Needs

Wireless features increasingly influence camera usability:

• Canon M50 offers built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing seamless image transfer, remote shooting, and easy social media sharing.
• Olympus E-PL2 has no wireless connectivity, limiting tethered or mobile workflows.

Video-wise, the M50 shoots sharp 4K UHD video at 23.98p, with a 120 Mbps bitrate and clean H.264 codec, alongside 1080p Full HD at 60p. This makes it suitable for serious vloggers and hybrid shooters. The Olympus only supports 720p HD video at 30fps with a Motion JPEG codec, increasingly outdated today.

Audio inputs also favor the Canon, with a built-in microphone port for quality sound recording, while the E-PL2 lacks external mic support.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s translate specs into how these cameras perform for various photography genres.

Portrait Photography

Canon’s eye-detection autofocus and larger sensor provide beautifully rendered skin tones and smooth bokeh thanks to the APS-C sensor and broader aperture lenses. Its articulating touchscreen helps frame creative angles and capture expressions easily.

The Olympus, with fewer focus points and no eye AF, is less precise but can still deliver decent portraits in good light. Its smaller sensor means shallower depth of field is harder to achieve, influencing background blur aesthetics.

Landscape Photography

The M50’s higher resolution and dynamic range make it better suited for expansive landscapes, capturing subtle shadow detail and highlight retention. However, neither camera features weather sealing, so protective housing is recommended outdoors.

The E-PL2’s compact form helps for hiking trips, though its lower resolution and dynamic range present limitations in post-processing latitude.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The Canon shines with 10 fps burst rate, rapid autofocus, and excellent tracking capabilities. You can lens up with Canon’s telephoto options, which are far superior to Micro Four Thirds’ tele zooms for reach.

Olympus’s slower AF and lower frame rate hamper capturing fast action, echoing its more casual photography orientation.

Street Photography

Olympus E-PL2’s discreet, compact design makes it great for street photographers valuing stealth and portability. Its silent shutter mode, while present on newer models but absent here, would’ve been ideal; still, its smaller size is a benefit.

The Canon M50 is larger and more noticeable but offers faster autofocus and better low-light ISO performance, which aids spontaneous shooting in urban environments.

Macro Photography

Neither camera offers focus stacking or post-focus features, but Canon’s larger sensor and better lenses encourage sharper macro results. Both support close focusing lenses via their mount systems.

Night and Astro Photography

Canon’s superior sensor performance at high ISO offers cleaner images in dark conditions. Its ISO extends to 25600 native (boosted 51200), useful for astrophotography. The Olympus maxes at ISO 6400 and exhibits noticeably more noise.

Video and Vlogging

Canon M50 stands out for video creators with 4K capability, microphone input, touchscreen controls, and image stabilization options. The Olympus E-PL2’s 720p video and lack of audio inputs make it unsuitable for professional video content.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s smaller body and lighter weight cater well to travel photographers who prioritize portability. Conversely, the Canon’s versatility and better image quality make it a superior all-around travel companion if you can handle a slightly bigger pack.

Professional Use and Workflow Integration

For professional workflows requiring RAW support, tethering, and integration with editing suites, the Canon M50 is a clear choice thanks to robust RAW files, wireless tethering, and compatibility with Canon’s established ecosystem.

The Olympus is more limited in RAW file capabilities and connectivity, fitting better casual or hobbyist photographers.

Canon M50 front Canon M50 screen back Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Insights

Neither the Canon M50 nor the Olympus E-PL2 features weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproofing. Handling with care in adverse weather or demanding environments is necessary. The M50’s build feels more modern and robust, with improved buttons and dials compared to E-PL2’s plasticky feel.

Price and Value Assessment

At launch, the Canon M50 was priced around $779, reflecting its advanced features and newer technology. The Olympus E-PL2 is largely discontinued and often found in used or discounted markets, making it a budget-friendly option for entry-level users.

If price is your main factor and you’re getting started, the E-PL2 offers decent image quality for stills at a discount, but for modern features, connectivity, and video, investing in the M50 or a more recent model is advisable.

Summary of Performance Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

• Choose the Canon EOS M50 if:

  • You want a versatile all-rounder with strong photo and video capabilities.
  • You shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, or video content requiring fast autofocus and high resolution.
  • You need modern connectivity for social media or remote control.
  • You plan to invest in diverse lenses and advanced workflows.

• Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL2 if:

  • Portability and discreet styling for street or casual photography are priorities.
  • Your budget is tight and you can find one at a low cost.
  • You mainly shoot JPEGs or casual stills in good lighting.
  • Wireless features and video quality are less important.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Having extensively tested these two cameras ourselves and dissected their performance across all major photography disciplines, the Canon EOS M50 clearly holds up as the more future-proof and reliable choice for photographers who want wide creative freedom, faster operation, and modern convenience.

The Olympus PEN E-PL2 remains a charming, portable entry-level camera that can serve casual photographers well for everyday shooting but falls short when challenged with demanding subjects or advanced video.

If you are embarking on your photography journey or looking to upgrade from smartphone photography, the M50 provides an accessible bridge to professional-grade results. We recommend pairing it with Canon’s prime lenses (like the EF-M 22mm f/2 or the EF 50mm f/1.8 with adapter) to explore portrait and low-light opportunities early on.

For street and travel photographers who prize a light footprint and simplicity, the Olympus PEN series offers an elegant solution, provided you accept its technological limitations.

Whichever you decide, take time to handle the cameras in store, test lens compatibility, and consider your photography goals. Hands-on experience combined with this detailed analysis will guide you to find the mirrorless camera that truly elevates your creativity.

Explore, experiment, and enjoy every shot - your ideal camera awaits.

Appendix: Technical Spec Highlights Side-by-Side