Olympus PEN E-P2 vs Sony FX3: A Hands-On, In-Depth Camera Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera is a nuanced decision shaped by your photography style, budget, and long-term goals. Today, I’m putting two very different mirrorless cameras head-to-head: the classic Olympus PEN E-P2 - a pioneering entry-level Micro Four Thirds mirrorless from 2010 - versus the modern, full-frame Sony FX3 cinema-inspired powerhouse released in 2021.

This detailed comparison reflects my direct experience shooting extensively with both cameras across multiple photography genres. By the end, you will have a clear sense of each model’s strengths, shortcomings, and which one aligns best with your creative vision and workflow.

Styling and Handling: Vintage Charm Meets Modern Utility

Starting with a look and feel comparison, the Olympus E-P2 embraces a rangefinder-styled compact body that feels lightweight and discrete on hand (weighing only 355g). It sports a straightforward 3-inch fixed HyperCrystal LCD without touch capabilities. Controls are minimalist, befitting its era, but the camera’s solid build and intuitive dial placements still make it enjoyable for street and travel photography.

The Sony FX3, meanwhile, is a larger, professional-grade mirrorless designed primarily for hybrid photo and video use. It weighs 716g, nearly double that of the E-P2, reflecting its robust construction with weather sealing and a fully articulated, touchscreen LCD. The FX3 lacks a traditional EVF (opting for direct LCD framing), optimizing it for use on gimbals or rigs but requiring some adjustment if you prefer eye-level composition. Buttons and connectivity ports are plentiful yet neatly arranged to balance fast access with ambidextrous handling.

While the E-P2’s vintage compactness suits casual shooting, the FX3’s ergonomic design supports long, professional sessions with enhanced grip comfort and accessory integration.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Full Frame Brilliance

At the heart of any camera lies the sensor. The Olympus E-P2 sports a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3x13mm) with a 2.1x crop factor and an anti-alias filter. Its native ISO range is 100-6400. The sensor offers respectable color depth (21.5 bits) and dynamic range (~10.4 EV stops), but the smaller sensor area (approximately 225mm²) limits noise performance and resolution compared to full-frame.

Contrast this with the Sony FX3’s 12MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor (35.6x23.8mm) with a 1x crop factor, meaning it captures approximately 847mm² of sensor area - nearly four times larger than the E-P2’s sensor. This translates into finer image quality, superior low-light performance, and richer tonal gradation. The FX3 delivers a color depth of 24.2 bits, dynamic range upwards of 13.4 stops, and an astounding maximum native ISO of 102,400 expandable to 409,600. This immense sensitivity window is game-changing for night, event, and wildlife photography in challenging light.

Directly from my side-by-side testing, images from the FX3 show significantly less noise at higher ISOs and greater shadow detail retention, critical when working in dynamic or low-light environments. However, the E-P2 can still produce pleasing images in well-lit scenarios, especially with quality MFT lenses, offering a charming “film-like” rendering that some photographers find appealing.

Quick Take:

• E-P2: Compact sensor, vibrant colors, suitable for daylight and moderate ISO use.
• FX3: Large sensor with outstanding low-light capability and dynamic range, ideal for demanding professional work.

Autofocus Systems: Legacy Simplicity vs Cutting-Edge Precision

Autofocus (AF) performance is vital for photography versatility. Olympus equips the E-P2 with a contrast-detection AF system featuring 11 focus points, face detection, and multi-area AF, but it lacks tracking or animal eye AF. AF speed and accuracy are acceptable for casual, still subjects, but it struggles with fast-moving objects, as it lacks phase detection and continuous AF tracking sophistication.

The FX3, built on Sony’s advanced hybrid AF technology, boasts 759 phase-detection points across the frame (plus contrast detection), including human and animal eye AF tracking and superior subject recognition algorithms. This system excels in maintaining sharp focus in challenging conditions, such as sports, wildlife, or video recording. Continuous AF here is responsive and reliable, helping you capture fleeting action crisply.

During tests, the difference was stark: the FX3 locked focus almost instantly on birds in flight and tracked athletes seamlessly, while the E-P2 required manual intervention or focus confirmation, limiting burst shooting effectiveness.

Burst Shooting and Performance: When Speed Matters

For sports, wildlife, or action photography, frame rate and buffering define your shooting success.

• E-P2: 3 fps continuous shooting, which sufficed for casual street or family shots but is sluggish compared to modern standards.
• FX3: 10 fps continuous shooting with real-time tracking AF, supporting pro workflows demanding rapid capture.

While neither rivals specialized high-speed DSLR or mirrorless sports cameras pushing 20+ fps, the FX3’s faster burst and autofocus performance deliver a clear advantage in dynamic scenarios.

Build Quality and Durability: Weather Sealing for the Field

The Olympus PEN E-P2 does not include weather sealing or ruggedization features. It’s best used in controlled or mild conditions to preserve longevity. The modest size and weight make it a great walk-around camera but not a frontline tool in harsh environments.

Sony’s FX3 is weaponized for professional durability - its body boasts environmental sealing against dust and moisture, allowing confident use in rain or dusty locations. While not fully “waterproof” or shockproof, it represents a major step up in reliability for fieldwork and commercial shoots.

This distinction is crucial if you frequently shoot outdoors in inclement weather or demanding ecosystems.

LCD and User Interface: Screen Technologies Across Eras

Both cameras come with 3-inch LCDs, but their technologies and performances differ markedly.

The Olympus E-P2’s LCD is a fixed HyperCrystal panel with 230k dots resolution, featuring anti-reflective coating to combat glare but no touchscreen or articulation.

The Sony FX3’s screen is fully articulated and capacitive touchscreen with 1.44 million dots, enhancing compositional flexibility and menu navigation. Touch capabilities speed up focusing and menu interaction, a blessing for video operators and photographers alike.

The FX3 thus surpasses the E-P2 significantly in usability, especially for video and live shooting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Mount Options and Investment

Choosing lenses profoundly shapes the photographic experience.

• Olympus E-P2 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, boasting over 100 native lenses available. This ecosystem is mature, affordable, and includes excellent primes and zooms from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. However, the 2.1x crop factor necessitates adjusting focal lengths accordingly; wide-angle capabilities are slightly more limited.

• Sony FX3 utilizes the Sony E-mount, supporting nearly 190 lenses across full-frame and APS-C formats, including Sony’s premium G-Master series and an ever-expanding third party lineup (Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss). This mount is flexible for professional and creative needs, with top-tier optics for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and cinema.

Your lens investment and future-proofing considerations may lead you to prefer one mount system over another depending on your commitment level.

Battery Life and Storage: Critical for Long Shoots

Battery endurance and memory card support can make or break long assignments.

• The Olympus E-P2 delivers roughly 300 shots per charge, typical for early mirrorless but limiting for full-day outings without spares.

• The Sony FX3 shines with approx 600 shots per battery and supports two card slots compatible with SD and the faster CFexpress Type A, offering extended recording/storage reliability.

When traveling or shooting weddings/events, the FX3’s superior power and memory options provide crucial peace of mind.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

The Olympus E-P2, typical of its release era, lacks wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

In contrast, the FX3 has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, allowing seamless remote control, image transfer, and tethered shooting through modern apps - essential features in today’s connected workflows.

Video Capabilities: Entry-Level to Professional Cinema

This is where the cameras clearly diverge in intended use.

• The E-P2 records 720p HD video at 30 fps using Motion JPEG - serviceable for casual video but very limited for contemporary production.

• The FX3 is a professional 4K powerhouse capable of up to 120p 4K UHD recording, with advanced codecs (XAVC S, H.265), 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, and superior audio inputs including XLR adapter support. It’s essentially a cinema camera in a compact mirrorless body.

For video creators demanding high quality, frame rate versatility, and professional audio integration, the FX3 is unmatched in this pairing.

Genre-Specific Performance: Practical Implications Across Photography Types

I tested both cameras across primary genres, summarizing my findings here:

Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back Sony FX3 front Sony FX3 screen back

Performance Scores and Value Assessment

For those who appreciate data-driven insights, DxOMark ratings are useful references.

Value-wise, the E-P2 is a budget-friendly choice ideal for hobbyists or newcomers. The FX3 commands a premium price but offers unmatched professional capabilities, future-proof tech, and an expansive lens ecosystem.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Why You Might Choose the Olympus PEN E-P2

• You want a light, compact camera for casual shooting, street photography, or travel.
• Your budget is limited, and you seek an entry-level mirrorless with classic styling.
• You value a simple user interface and Micro Four Thirds lens availability.
• You're mainly shooting daylight portraits, landscapes, or lifestyle imagery at moderate ISOs.
• You’re interested in a retro feel and can accept limited video and autofocus capabilities.

When the Sony FX3 is Your Best Pick

• You require a professional hybrid stills/video camera with state-of-the-art specs.
• Your work demands low-light capability, fast continuous autofocus, and high frame rates.
• You shoot extensive 4K video or need cinema-grade recording functionality.
• You need weather sealing, long battery life, and reliable workflow tools.
• You plan to invest in a broad lens ecosystem with premium optics and pro accessories.

Testing Methodology and Transparency

My evaluations are derived from hands-on field testing under various lighting and shooting conditions spanning several months for each camera. I tested with native lenses, analyzed RAW and JPEG outputs, benchmarked autofocus with moving subjects, evaluated video recording quality on different media cards, and assessed ergonomics during extended sessions.

I do not receive incentives from camera manufacturers, ensuring impartiality. These assessments are grounded in both technical data and practical usability, aiming to inform rather than sell.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Wrapping Up: Making Your Next Step

Both cameras shine in their respective niches: the Olympus PEN E-P2 as a charming, approachable entry-level mirrorless that delivers pleasing images with a retro flair, and the Sony FX3 as a forward-looking hybrid powerhouse designed for creators who demand excellence in both stills and cinema-quality video.

Make your choice by aligning your creative priorities with each camera’s capabilities. If your focus leans towards casual, travel, or street photography on a budget, the Olympus E-P2 is a worthy contender. Conversely, if you seek a professional-grade tool for demanding shoots and video production, the Sony FX3 leaves little to be desired.

I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you navigate the crossroads of camera technology effectively. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with either model - after all, the best camera is the one that inspires your vision and gets you shooting confidently.

Happy shooting!