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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Introduced September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Below is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL2 was revealed 7 months earlier than the E-PL3 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PL2 scores vs the E-PL3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-PL3

 E-PL2 E-PL3 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-PL3 E-PL2 
IntroducedSeptember 2011February 2011More recent by 7 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus E-PL3

 E-PL2 E-PL3 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 features external measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL3 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus E-PL3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-PL2 versus the E-PL3.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and E-PL3 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by checking specifications. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and E-PL3.

To sum up, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of files although you should always take the age of the products into consideration. The older E-PL2 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography information
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (280 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
44
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (300 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography factors
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
low battery power (280 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging factors
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
no mic socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus E-PL3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-02-11 2011-09-20
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 grams (0.80 pounds) 313 grams (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 52
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 10.3
DXO Low light score 573 499
Other
Battery life 280 images 300 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $0 $399