Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus SP-100

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.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Olympus Stylus SP-100. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Olympus SP-100 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.