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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 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
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Released January 2014
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both sold by Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and SP-100 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and SP-100 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL2 was released 4 years earlier than the SP-100 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-PL2 grades vs the SP-100 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Olympus SP-100

 E-PL2 SP-100 

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Olympus E-PL2

 SP-100 E-PL2 
ReleasedJanuary 2014February 2011Newer by 36 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SP-100

 E-PL2 SP-100 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 offers 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) and the Olympus SP-100 has dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL2 versus the SP-100.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and SP-100 is 85 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and SP-100.

Clearly, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Olympus SP-100 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
44
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography advice
Olympus SP-100 Street photography advice
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (594 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Sports photography camera
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery life (280 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
53
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Olympus SP-100
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (280 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (594g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography details
Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography details
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (280 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
47
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Vlogging camera
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic support
29
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (594g)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Olympus SP-100
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Olympus Stylus SP-100
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus Stylus SP-100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-02-11 2014-01-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.9-6.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 920k dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 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 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
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 362g (0.80 lbs) 594g (1.31 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2")
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 shots 330 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $0 $400