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Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Superseded the Canon S110
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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
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Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Canon S120 and Olympus E-PL2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Canon and Olympus. The resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is fairly similar but the S120 (1/1.7") and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The S120 was revealed 2 years later than the E-PL2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon S120 being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the S120 scores versus the E-PL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Olympus E-PL2

 S120 E-PL2 
AnnouncedNovember 2013February 2011Fresher by 34 months
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Canon S120

 E-PL2 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Olympus E-PL2

 S120 E-PL2 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon S120 offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL2 has measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Analyze the Canon S120 and Olympus E-PL2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S120 against the E-PL2.

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and E-PL2 is 92 and 85 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The graphic below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S120 and E-PL2.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The S120 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF tougher. The fresher S120 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S120 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
42
manual focus
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (217g)
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography highlights
39
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
has no phase detect auto focus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (280 shots)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon S120
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
67
supports focus by touch
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition (217g)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (280 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
57
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery (280 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon S120
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
35
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone socket
more heavy than competition (217 grams)
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
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Canon S120 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Olympus E-PL2
 Canon PowerShot S120Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Name Canon Olympus
Model type Canon PowerShot S120 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-11-26 2011-02-11
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 6 Truepic V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/1.8-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 4.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 922k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 217 gr (0.48 pounds) 362 gr (0.80 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 55
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.9 10.2
DXO Low light rating 246 573
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 280 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $449 $0