Clicky

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
82
Imaging
53
Features
73
Overall
61
Olympus OM-D E-M10 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 119 x 82 x 46mm
  • Released March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus E-M10 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the E-M10 (16MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The E-M10 was announced 3 years after the E-PL2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M10 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-M10 matches up vs the E-PL2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-M10 E-PL2 
LaunchedMarch 2014February 2011More modern by 38 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-M10

 E-PL2 E-M10 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 and Olympus E-PL2

 E-M10 E-PL2 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M10 comes with exterior measurements of 119mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has sizing of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M10 compared to the E-PL2.

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M10 and E-PL2 is 82 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The pic below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M10 and E-PL2.

All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M10 to deliver greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more recent E-M10 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography info
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Street photography details
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography details
77
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competition (396g)
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography features
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
has no phase detect AF
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (280 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography factors
67
has focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
heavier than competition (396 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (280 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography highlights
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (280 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging features
33
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (396g)
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 and Olympus E-PL2
 Olympus OM-D E-M10Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-03-18 2011-02-11
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.80 m (ISO100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual(1/1(FULL)~1/64) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 396 grams (0.87 pounds) 362 grams (0.80 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 82 x 46mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 1.8") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 55
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 10.2
DXO Low light score 884 573
Other
Battery life 320 images 280 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (12 sec., 2 sec.,custom (Waiting time 1-30sec.,Shooting interval 0.5/1/2/3sec.,Number of shots 1-10)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $600 $0