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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS16
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FH2 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1 was announced 7 months prior to the FH2 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PL1 scores versus the FH2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FH2

 E-PL1 FH2 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FH2 E-PL1 
ReleasedJanuary 2011May 2010Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FH2

 E-PL1 FH2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 has got outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic FH2 has specifications of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the FH2.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and FH2 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and FH2.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic FH2 will show extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Panasonic FH2 Street photography info
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competitors (121g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography information
Panasonic FH2 Sports photography information
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (270 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography info
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography info
51
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
72
better than average battery pack (270 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (121g)
has focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography features
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse mode
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
better than average battery pack (270 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FH2 Vlogging highlights
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic port
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-05-17 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
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 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 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), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lbs) 121g (0.27 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 shots 270 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $288 $149