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Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
31
Overall
38
Olympus E-400 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Olympus E-400
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 435g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Introduced September 2006
  • Later Model is Olympus E-410
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
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
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Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-400 (10MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-400 was introduced 5 years earlier than the E-PL2 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-400 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-400 matches up versus the E-PL2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-400 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-400 E-PL2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-400

 E-PL2 E-400 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011September 2006More modern by 53 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k215kClearer screen (+245k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-PL2

 E-400 E-PL2 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-400 enjoys external measurements of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 435 grams (0.96 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL2 has proportions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-400 and the E-PL2.

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-400 and E-PL2 is 77 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading a spec sheet. The image below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-400 and E-PL2.

As you can see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Olympus E-PL2 to deliver more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-400 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-400 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography details
46
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
no manual control
low megapixels (10MP)
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-400 Street photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography factors
60
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery (280 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-400 Travel photography information
Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography information
49
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery (280 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-400 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
45
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no manual control
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (280 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-400 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-PL2
 Olympus E-400Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-400 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2006-09-14 2011-02-11
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 215k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 435 gr (0.96 lb) 362 gr (0.80 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life - 280 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $599 $0