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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
Portability
72
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced November 2010
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G1
  • Renewed by Panasonic G3
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the G2 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1s was introduced 5 months after the G2 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PL1s matches up vs the G2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic G2

 E-PL1s G2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 G2 E-PL1s 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G2

 E-PL1s G2 
LaunchedNovember 2010July 2010Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s features outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic G2 has measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") along with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1s versus the G2.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and G2 is 86 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The image below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and G2.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you would want to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography info
Panasonic G2 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography factors
Panasonic G2 Street photography factors
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
65
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (428g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Sports photography camera
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
no phase detect AF
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography highlights
Panasonic G2 Travel photography highlights
52
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
58
provides focus via touch
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
heavier than average (428 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography info
Panasonic G2 Landscape photography info
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
57
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic G2 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic support
61
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
does have external mic socket
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than average (428 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G2
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-G2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-11-16 2010-07-12
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine HD II
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 428 gr (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 53
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 493
Other
Battery life 290 photos 360 photos
Style 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 type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $1,000