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Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-P1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P3
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Below is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is very close and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-P2 was revealed at a similar time to the E-PL1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-P2 matches up versus the E-PL1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-P2 E-PL1 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-P2

 E-PL1 E-P2 

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-P2 E-PL1 
RevealedApril 2010May 2010Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-P2 enjoys exterior measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has proportions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-PL1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-P2 compared to the E-PL1.

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and E-PL1 is 86 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through specifications. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P2 and E-PL1.

To sum up, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you really should take the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
43
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
52
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (290 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography features
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P2
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus PEN E-P2Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-04-22 2010-05-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V 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 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lbs) 334 grams (0.74 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 54
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.1
DXO Low light rating 505 487
Other
Battery life 300 photos 290 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $799 $288