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Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2008
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and E-PL3 (12MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was brought out 4 years prior to the E-PL3 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Leica S2 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the S2 matches up vs the E-PL3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Olympus E-PL3

 S2 E-PL3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Leica S2

 E-PL3 S2 
IntroducedSeptember 2011September 2008More modern by 36 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Leica S2 and Olympus E-PL3

 S2 E-PL3 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Leica S2 features exterior dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL3 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Contrast the Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the S2 against the E-PL3.

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and E-PL3 is 52 and 88 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specs. The pic underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and E-PL3.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S2 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Leica S2 will offer greater detail having its extra 26MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged S2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
excellent megapixels (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography information
51
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography information
58
excellent megapixels (38 megapixels)
large sensor size (Medium format)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery (1,000 per charge)
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography factors
45
excellent megapixels (38MP)
missing Timelapse function
low battery (1,000 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
44
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery power (300 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography information
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
excellent megapixels (38MP)
large sensor size (Medium format)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low maximum ISO (1,250)
low battery (1,000 per charge)
missing Timelapse function
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery power (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging details
9
no video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
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Leica S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Olympus E-PL3
 Leica S2Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model Leica S2 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Category Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-09-23 2011-09-20
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Truepic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 45 x 30mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 38 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3
Maximum resolution 7500 x 5000 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 1250 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 30 107
Crop factor 0.8 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1410g (3.11 lbs) 313g (0.69 lbs)
Dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 76 52
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 10.3
DXO Low light score 824 499
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs 300 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer - Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $399