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Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
  • Updated by Olympus E-P5
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Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-P3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both created by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the E-P3 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-P2 was brought out 16 months earlier than the E-P3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-P2 grades against the E-P3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-P2 E-P3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-P2

 E-P3 E-P2 
IntroducedAugust 2011April 2010Newer by 16 months
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-P3

 E-P2 E-P3 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P2 has outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Olympus E-P3 has proportions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-P3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-P2 versus the E-P3.

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and E-P3 is 86 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and E-P3.

As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of files however you will need to take the age of the cameras into account. The more aged E-P2 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography advice
Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
76
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-P3 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-P3 as a Travel photography camera
43
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
features focus by touch
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-P3 as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-P3 Vlogging highlights
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-P3
 Olympus PEN E-P2Olympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-04-22 2011-08-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V TruePic VI
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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lb) 369 gr (0.81 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 51
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.1
DXO Low light score 505 536
Other
Battery life 300 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $799 $0