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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Olympus SZ-15 front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 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
  • Announced February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL3
Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced June 2013
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview

Here is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-PL2 versus Olympus SZ-15, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Olympus. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and SZ-15 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was unveiled 3 years prior to the SZ-15 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PL2 grades versus the SZ-15 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus SZ-15

 E-PL2 SZ-15 

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus E-PL2

 SZ-15 E-PL2 
AnnouncedJune 2013February 2011Fresher by 28 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SZ-15

 E-PL2 SZ-15 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 has outer 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 SZ-15 has measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL2 versus Olympus SZ-15 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL2 versus the SZ-15.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and SZ-15 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking specs. The graphic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and SZ-15.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 using its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus SZ-15 will resolve extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
44
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Olympus SZ-15
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (250g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery power (280 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-15
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (280 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (23mm)
very long reach (483mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-15 as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery power (280 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
49
focusing manually
fairly wide (23mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
Olympus SZ-15 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
34
fairly wide (23mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (250 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SZ-15
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Olympus SZ-15
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus SZ-15
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-02-11 2013-06-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 23-483mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 lb) 250g (0.55 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $0 $200