Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1
92 Imaging
34 Features
20 Overall
28


86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
- 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
- Introduced February 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Released May 2010
- Updated by Olympus E-PL1s

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview
Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon A2100 IS versus Olympus E-PL1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the A2100 IS (12MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the A2100 IS (1/2.3") and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor sizes.

The A2100 IS was released 15 months earlier than the E-PL1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon A2100 IS being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A2100 IS grades vs the E-PL1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot A2100 IS & Olympus PEN E-PL1. The complete galleries are provided at Canon A2100 IS Gallery & Olympus E-PL1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Olympus E-PL1
A2100 IS | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Canon A2100 IS
E-PL1 | A2100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2010 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 15 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing |
Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Olympus E-PL1
A2100 IS | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly screen |
Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon A2100 IS provides outer dimensions of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has proportions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).
Check the Canon A2100 IS versus Olympus E-PL1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the A2100 IS vs the E-PL1.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A2100 IS and E-PL1 is 92 and 86 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by checking specs. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the A2100 IS and E-PL1.
All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The A2100 IS offers the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult. The older A2100 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Olympus |
Model | Canon PowerShot A2100 IS | Olympus PEN E-PL1 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-02-18 | 2010-05-17 |
Body design | Compact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Truepic V |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4032 x 3024 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 36-216mm (6.0x) | - |
Max aperture | f/3.2-5.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 1cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 107 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 60 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 10.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | 185 grams (0.41 lbs) | 334 grams (0.74 lbs) |
Dimensions | 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 54 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 487 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 290 shots |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | 2 x AA | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $220 | $288 |