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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Introduced February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Olympus. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was manufactured 9 years after the E-PL2 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M1 III matches up against the E-PL2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-M1 III E-PL2 
LaunchedFebruary 2020February 2011Newer by 110 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-PL2 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL2

 E-M1 III E-PL2 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL2 has sizing 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-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 III versus the E-PL2.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and E-PL2 is 67 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and E-PL2.

As you can see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M1 III to offer you extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
77
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography factors
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography info
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (280 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography highlights
79
weather sealing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (280 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
2 card slots
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (280 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic support
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL2
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2020-02-11 2011-02-11
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 362 grams (0.80 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 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 420 shots 280 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC
Storage slots 2 1
Retail pricing $1,800 $0