Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2
80 Imaging
53 Features
84 Overall
65


85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
- Introduced February 2015
- Replaced the Olympus E-M5
- New Model is Olympus E-M5 III
(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
- Released February 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- Updated by Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview
Here, we are matching up the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL2, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

The E-M5 II was introduced 4 years later than the E-PL2 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-M5 II grades vs the E-PL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Olympus PEN E-PL2. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-M5 II Gallery and Olympus E-PL2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-PL2
E-M5 II | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2015 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 49 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+577k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-M5 II
E-PL2 | E-M5 II |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL2
E-M5 II | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display dimensions |
Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 II offers physical dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 II compared to the E-PL2.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and E-PL2 is 80 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 II and E-PL2.
Clearly, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M5 II to resolve extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent E-M5 II is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Olympus PEN E-PL2 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-02-06 | 2011-02-11 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VII | Truepic V |
Sensor type | MOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4032 x 3024 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 469 gr (1.03 lbs) | 362 gr (0.80 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 73 | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.4 | 10.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 896 | 573 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | 280 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail cost | $699 | $0 |