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Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59
Leica TL front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Leica TL
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 384g - 134 x 69 x 33mm
  • Announced November 2016
  • Refreshed by Leica TL2
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
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Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the TL (16MP) and the E-PM2 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the TL (APS-C) and E-PM2 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The TL was revealed 3 years later than the E-PM2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick view of how the TL grades vs the E-PM2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Olympus E-PM2

 TL E-PM2 
ReleasedNovember 2016May 2013More recent by 43 months
Display size3.7"3"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1230k460kSharper display (+770k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Leica TL

 E-PM2 TL 

Common features in the Leica TL and Olympus E-PM2

 TL E-PM2 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Leica TL offers outside dimensions of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM2 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the TL against the E-PM2.

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TL and E-PM2 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The visual below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TL and E-PM2.

All in all, the two cameras feature the identical megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The TL provides the larger sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field less difficult. The fresher TL will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica TL as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
76
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica TL as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
70
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
has focus via touch
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Leica TL Sports photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography info
55
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica TL Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
70
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
66
offers focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica TL
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
very good size screen (3.7")
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica TL
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
33
touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone support
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
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Leica TL vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica TL and Olympus E-PM2
 Leica TLOlympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Olympus
Model Leica TL Olympus PEN E-PM2
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-11-08 2013-05-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12500 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 4 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.7" 3"
Screen resolution 1,230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.50 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 384 gr (0.85 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 932
Other
Battery life 400 photographs 360 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC13 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,009 $448