Canon SX1 IS vs Olympus E-PL2

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Canon SX1 IS and Olympus E-PL2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SX1 IS (10MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is very comparable but the SX1 IS (1/2.3") and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor size.

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The SX1 IS was released 22 months prior to the E-PL2 making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX1 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SX1 IS matches up against the E-PL2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Canon PowerShot SX1 IS & Olympus PEN E-PL2. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX1 IS Gallery & Olympus E-PL2 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Canon SX1 IS provides outside measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 88mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.5") with a weight of 615 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL2 has measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Look at the Canon SX1 IS and Olympus E-PL2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SX1 IS compared to the E-PL2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX1 IS and E-PL2 is 64 and 85 respectively.

More often than not, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specifications. The pic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX1 IS and E-PL2.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SX1 IS due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Olympus E-PL2 will produce more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged SX1 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.