Leica T Type 701 vs Olympus PEN E-P2 - A Tale of Two Mirrorless Innovators

In the bustling world of mirrorless cameras, some models stand out not just for their specs but for the stories they tell - about design philosophy, technological leaps, and how they shape a photographer’s workflow. Today, I’m pitting two mirrorless rangefinder-style cameras from quite different eras and visions against each other: the Leica T Type 701 from 2014 and the Olympus PEN E-P2 from 2010.

At first glance, these cameras might seem apples-to-oranges. The Leica T entered the scene as a sleek, minimalistic advanced mirrorless camera targeting serious enthusiasts and pros; the Olympus E-P2 was one of the early Micro Four Thirds pioneers aimed at entry-level to enthusiast shooters breaking into mirrorless photography.

After spending quality hands-on hours testing these two side-by-side, here’s an honest, nuanced comparison to help you decide which camera might suit your style, budget, and photographic ambitions best.

First Impressions and Ergonomics - Beauty and the Beast (Kind of)

Both the Leica T and Olympus E-P2 carry that retro rangefinder-inspired aesthetic, but their physicality tells very different stories.

The Leica T Type 701 measures 134x69x33 mm and weighs a solid 384 g, while the Olympus PEN E-P2 is a bit smaller and lighter at 121x70x36 mm and 355 g. I say “a bit” because handling is as much about ergonomics as raw dimensions, which is why this side-by-side size and grip comparison helps:

The Leica’s body feels like a meticulously machined block of aluminum - cool to the touch and impossibly smooth - with minimalist controls and a clean top plate. It’s a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it style: if you like tactile buttons and dials in abundance, the Leica’s stripped-down approach might frustrate you.

Compare this with the Olympus’s more conventional button layout that feels familiar if you’ve used DSLRs or other mirrorless cameras from the early 2010s. Despite its smaller size, the E-P2 actually handles quite nicely with a modest thumb grip on the rear. For beginners or street shooters who prioritize portability without sacrificing handling, the Olympus has the edge.

Speaking of control layouts, here’s a quick peek from the top:

Notice how the Leica’s top plate is almost bare except for the shutter button and minimal dials, whereas the Olympus packs more traditional exposure control dials and buttons. Honestly, the Olympus gives you quicker access to key settings, which was invaluable during fast-paced shooting scenarios.

To me, Leica’s design here screams “form over rapid function,” which perfectly suits calm, contemplative shooting but not frantic sports or wildlife sessions.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor, Resolution, and Image Quality

Year of announcement often sets expectations for sensor technology, and here, Leica’s 2014 APS-C CMOS sensor (23.6x15.7 mm) sized larger than the Olympus’s 2010 Four Thirds sensor (17.3x13 mm).

Let’s take a moment to appreciate that with sensor size comes pixel pitch, dynamic range, and low-light prowess:

The Leica features a 16MP sensor that’s notably larger with an area of about 370.5 mm², compared to Olympus’s 12MP Four Thirds sensor with 224.9 mm². In practical terms, this bigger sensor generally translates into better light gathering - hence improved dynamic range, less noise at high ISO, and richer color depth.

DXOMark benchmarks confirm this: Leica’s T scores an overall 75 points, outperforming the Olympus E-P2’s more modest 56. Color depth is superior at 23 bits for Leica versus 21.5 for Olympus, and dynamic range similarly favors Leica’s 12.7 EV over Olympus’s 10.4 EV. Low-light ISO sensitivity is especially telling - Leica topping out at ISO 12,500 native, Olympus maxing at ISO 6400.

What does this mean for your photos? In landscapes where you wrestle with shadows and bright skies, Leica holds onto highlight and shadow details better. Portrait skin tones look richer and more nuanced on Leica files, particularly when combined with high-quality Leica glass. Olympus’s sensor, while capable, tends to show more noise and reduced tonal gradations beyond ISO 800.

As a practical test, shooting both cameras on a cloudy day outside yielded images where Leica’s files had punchier detail and smoother shadows, while Olympus’s images required more noise reduction in post, sometimes at the expense of fine detail.

Behind the Lens: Lens Ecosystem and Focal Length Factors

Both cameras sport different lens mounts: Leica’s L mount for the T vs Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount (MFT) for the E-P2.

Leica’s L mount may feel boutique but covers only 4 lenses bundled with the camera, mostly premium fixed primes and zooms designed to match the high sensor quality and deliver exquisite sharpness and bokeh. The 1.5x crop factor means that a 50mm lens on Leica renders about a 75mm equivalent field of view, ideal for portraits and general photography.

Meanwhile, Olympus’s MFT mount boasts over a hundred lenses - everything from ultra-wide to super-telephoto zooms and specialized macro lenses - allowing for a versatility unmatched by Leica’s more limited lineup. MFT’s smaller sensor and 2.1x crop factor effectively doubles your focal length compared to full frame, great for wildlife and sports beginners on a budget.

So, if you are a macro enthusiast or wildlife hobbyist shopping for extensive lens options and system flexibility, Olympus’s ecosystem is a clear winner. On the other hand, if prioritizing optical excellence and a tightly curated, high-end selection is your goal, Leica makes a compelling, if tighter, case.

User Interface & Display: How You See Your World Matters

Touchscreens and viewing options are personal preferences, but they definitely impact workflow speed and user satisfaction.

Leica T offers a 3.7-inch, fixed touchscreen with a sharp resolution of 1300k dots - large and crisp for framing, reviewing images, and navigating menus. Though it lacks an in-body viewfinder, an optional electronic viewfinder with 2360-dot resolution and 100% coverage can be spliced on - excellent but an add-on expense.

Olympus E-P2 sports a smaller 3-inch fixed screen with only 230k dot resolution (remember, 2010 standards). This HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating helps outdoors viewing but feels dated by 2024 benchmarks. Worse, there’s no built-in or optional electronic viewfinder, which hampers usability in bright light or fast action.

Here’s a side-by-side at their backs:

The Leica’s touchscreen responsiveness exceeded my expectations for a model of its age, and it combined well with the minimal button array. Olympus’s menu navigation, while intuitive, felt slow with tiny UI fonts and no touchscreen aid, making it cumbersome in the field.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy When It Counts

Autofocus prowess can make or break your shooting, especially for sports and wildlife.

The Leica T relies on contrast-detection AF with touch focusing, plus face detection - solid for still subjects or portraits but lagging behind phase-detection AF or hybrid systems developed later. It offers continuous AF and tracking, but with no dedicated phase detection, moving subjects can quickly frustrate a photographer mid-action.

Olympus E-P2 also uses contrast-detection-based AF, but limited to 11 focus points and lacking continuous AF tracking. Its maximum continuous shooting is 3 fps, compared to Leica’s 5 fps burst rate, highlighting the Olympus’s amateur leanings.

For portrait shooters or street photographers prioritizing eye detection and manual focus control, Leica’s more recent tech offers a smoother experience. On the other hand, fast-action shooters will find neither camera truly ideal - new generation mirrorless models now dominate that segment with hybrid AF systems and higher fps.

Performance Across Photography Genres: What They Really Mean in the Real World

Let’s walk through how these cameras perform across various popular photography styles, synthesizing my testing experience and industry benchmarks:

Here’s a graphical representation of their overall and genre-specific ratings to help visualize their strengths and weaknesses:

Leica T Type 701 front Leica T Type 701 screen back Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back

As someone who tests cameras across genres - from portraits in controlled studio lighting to wildlife at dawn - Leica’s myriad strengths in image quality and a more mature autofocus system tip the balance for me in most professional scenarios. Olympus E-P2 retains charm as a casual, lightweight shooter with plenty of lens options but struggles with noise and slower performance.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability - How Much Can You Abuse Them?

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or rugged features. They’re not made for storm-chasing or dusty desert safaris without extra precautions.

Leica’s metal body offers some reassurance in robustness and longevity. Olympus’s plastic-leaning body feels less solid but is surprisingly resilient if handled thoughtfully. Both lack freeze or crush proof ratings.

Given that both are mirrorless cameras from earlier generation cycles, don’t expect the shockproof or weatherproof confidence of later models. Protect your gear accordingly.

Battery Life and Connectivity - Staying Powered and Connected Today

Battery life remains a practical consideration. Leica T offers about 400 shots per charge, while Olympus E-P2 manages approximately 300 shots. In my experience, these numbers hit real-world reliability with moderate use but bring spare batteries for longer sessions or travel.

Connectivity-wise, Leica includes built-in wireless (Wi-Fi), enabling image transfer and remote shooting - an unexpected but welcome feature for a 2014 camera. Olympus E-P2 has no wireless, relying solely on USB 2.0 and HDMI output for tethered use - more limiting by today’s standards.

Video Capabilities - A Decade Apart, But Not a Huge Gap

Both cameras lack 4K video - no surprise, considering their vintage. Leica T shoots Full HD 1080p at 30fps using MPEG-4. Olympus tops out at 1280x720p at 30fps, outputting Motion JPEG - a format quickly eclipsed by modern compression standards for better quality and storage saving.

Neither provides microphone or headphone ports, limiting serious videographers. Video autofocus is contrast-based and prone to hunting. Basically, if video is a priority, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Price and Value - What Are You Really Getting for Your Money?

New, Leica T cameras hover around $1600 - though given their age, most are second-hand or from specialized dealers. Olympus E-P2 cameras can be found for under $800 used.

For that price difference, Leica offers genuinely better image quality, superior ergonomics for advanced users, and modern conveniences like touchscreen and wireless connectivity. Olympus excels in accessibility, affordability, and a lens ecosystem that’s still thriving alongside current MFT cameras.

My Final Verdict - Which Camera Should You Choose?

For Beginners and Enthusiasts on a Budget:

Olympus PEN E-P2 is a charming choice - especially if you want a compact, stylish camera with decent image quality and access to a vast lens ecosystem. Its limitations in dynamic range and autofocus speed mean you won’t win any wildlife or sports competitions with it, but for casual portraits, travel, and street photography, it ticks the box reasonably well.

For Serious Photographers and Professionals:

Leica T 701 is the better tool. It’s not perfect - it lacks in-body image stabilization and weather sealing - but offers better sensor performance, crisp touchscreen control, a higher burst frame rate, and more refined image outputs. It’s a compact workhorse worth investing in if you want image quality often associated with full-frame cameras without the bulk.

Wrapping It All Up - The Story You Choose

Comparing these two in 2024 feels like a walk through mirrorless history. Olympus PEN E-P2 is a fond reminder of the nascent mirrorless era - breaking new ground for accessible interchangeable-lens cameras. The Leica T Type 701 is a bridge to the future of minimalism and precision in photography tools.

Neither is the perfect camera for every situation, but used thoughtfully, both offer compelling experiences wrapped in style and capable technology.

If you want my personal two cents: pick the Leica T if your budget allows and you crave cleaner results with sharper autofocus and stronger overall performance. Choose Olympus E-P2 if you value portability, extensive lens choice, and want a camera that introduced mirrorless to the masses.

Now, if only we could bring back a camera that combined Leica’s aesthetic and sensor quality with Olympus’s compact versatility and lens range - oh well, maybe in the next chapter of mirrorless history.

Happy shooting, whatever your choice!