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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL3
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and both are sold by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is very close and both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL2 was revealed 9 months before the E-PM1 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PL2 scores versus the E-PM1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-PL2 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-PL2

 E-PM1 E-PL2 
ReleasedNovember 2011February 2011Fresher by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-PL2 E-PM1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 provides outside 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) while the Olympus E-PM1 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL2 versus Olympus E-PM1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 against the E-PM1.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and E-PM1 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and E-PM1.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you would want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older E-PL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography features
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (280 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (280 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
45
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (280 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-02-11 2011-11-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech 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 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 pounds) 265g (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 52
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 10.3
DXO Low light rating 573 499
Other
Battery life 280 shots 330 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $499