Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
88 Imaging
41 Features
51 Overall
45
Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed February 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
- Launched February 2016
- Older Model is Olympus SH-2
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On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PL2 versus Olympus SH-3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both designed by Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and SH-3 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and SH-3 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-PL2 was revealed 6 years prior to the SH-3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera.
Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PL2 matches up against the SH-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Olympus Stylus SH-3. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Olympus SH-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus SH-3
| E-PL2 | SH-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More precise focus |
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Olympus E-PL2
| SH-3 | E-PL2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2016 | February 2011 | Fresher by 60 months | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SH-3
| E-PL2 | SH-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display measurement | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 460k | Equal display resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 has outside dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Olympus SH-3 has proportions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 versus Olympus SH-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 versus the SH-3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and SH-3 is 85 and 88 respectively.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing specifications. The photograph below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and SH-3.
Plainly, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 using its larger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus SH-3 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL2 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Olympus Stylus SH-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Olympus Stylus SH-3 |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Revealed | 2011-02-11 | 2016-02-08 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | Truepic V | TruePic VII |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| 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 |
| Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | - | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
| Largest aperture | - | f/3.0-6.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 3cm |
| Available lenses | 107 | - |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 460k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 11.5 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 10.00 m | 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | 1/160s | - |
| 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) | 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 3840x2160 |
| Video file format | Motion JPEG | H.264 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 362 gr (0.80 pounds) | 271 gr (0.60 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") |
| 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 photographs | 380 photographs |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLS-5 | LI-92B |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at launch | $0 | $579 |