Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2
77 Imaging
44 Features
36 Overall
40
86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
- Revealed June 2008
- Older Model is Olympus E-410
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Introduced April 2010
- Older Model is Olympus E-P1
- Renewed by Olympus E-P3
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Here, we are comparing the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E-P2 (12MP) is very close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).
Photography GlossaryThe E-420 was manufactured 22 months prior to the E-P2 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-420 matches up against the E-P2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-420 & Olympus PEN E-P2. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-420 Gallery & Olympus E-P2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-P2
| E-420 | E-P2 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Olympus E-420
| E-P2 | E-420 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2010 | June 2008 | Fresher by 22 months | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-P2
| E-420 | E-P2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-420 provides outside dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P2 has dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-420 compared to the E-P2.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and E-P2 is 77 and 86 respectively.
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by looking through specs. The visual here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and E-P2.
All in all, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Olympus E-P2 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older E-420 will be behind in sensor innovation.
Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-P2 Specifications
| Olympus E-420 | Olympus PEN E-P2 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model type | Olympus E-420 | Olympus PEN E-P2 |
| Class | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Revealed | 2008-06-23 | 2010-04-22 |
| Body design | Compact SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic III | TruePic V |
| Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 10MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Full resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 3 | 11 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Total lenses | 45 | 107 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display tech | - | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
| 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) |
| Max video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
| Video format | - | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 426 grams (0.94 pounds) | 355 grams (0.78 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 56 | 56 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 21.5 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | 10.4 |
| DXO Low light rating | 527 | 505 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 500 shots | 300 shots |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | BLS-1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD/SDHC card |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at launch | $999 | $799 |