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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Launched April 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P3
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-P2 versus Panasonic FZ40, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P2 was brought out 3 months before the FZ40 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-P2 grades versus the FZ40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-P2 FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-P2

 FZ40 E-P2 

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FZ40

 E-P2 FZ40 
LaunchedApril 2010July 2010Similar generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P2 enjoys exterior dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P2 versus Panasonic FZ40 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-P2 versus the FZ40.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and FZ40 is 86 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The picture here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and FZ40.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P2 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic FZ40 will resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
46
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography advice
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
slow fps (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
43
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
54
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (494g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography details
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
51
has manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P2
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ40
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
23
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-04-22 2010-07-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 gr (0.78 pounds) 494 gr (1.09 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 505 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $799 $420