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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
Olympus SH-3
(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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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Overview

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.

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The 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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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 
LaunchedFebruary 2016February 2011Fresher by 60 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SH-3

 E-PL2 SH-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography advice
Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography advice
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
44
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Olympus SH-3
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
70
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competition (271 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-3 as a Sports photography camera
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography information
Olympus SH-3 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (280 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (271g)
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography highlights
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
55
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (380 shots)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Olympus SH-3
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SH-3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Olympus 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