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Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Canon A2100 IS
(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
Olympus E-PL1
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Olympus E-PL1

 A2100 IS E-PL1 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Canon A2100 IS

 E-PL1 A2100 IS 
ReleasedMay 2010February 2009Fresher by 15 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Olympus E-PL1

 A2100 IS E-PL1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography factors
26
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A2100 IS
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A2100 IS
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
50
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (290 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography advice
31
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
no manual control
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery power (290 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A2100 IS and Olympus E-PL1
 Canon PowerShot A2100 ISOlympus 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