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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2, one is a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was unveiled 8 years prior to the E-PL2 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-1 grades versus the E-PL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-1 E-PL2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-1

 E-PL2 E-1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011November 2003Newer by 87 months
Screen dimensions3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kClearer screen (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PL2

 E-1 E-PL2 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-1 has outside measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-1 vs the E-PL2.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and E-PL2 is 59 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The image below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and E-PL2.

Plainly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus E-PL2 to offer you greater detail having an extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography highlights
46
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (5 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography information
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
lighter than average in class (735 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography factors
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution (5 megapixels)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery life (280 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than average in class (735g)
environment sealing
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution (5 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
bad battery life (280 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography highlights
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
screen is small (1.8")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (5MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (280 shots)
missing Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PL2
 Olympus E-1Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2003-11-29 2011-02-11
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8" 3"
Display resolution 134 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lb) 362 grams (0.80 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 55
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.2
DXO Low light score not tested 573
Other
Battery life - 280 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $1,700 $0