Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is pretty close but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") use different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL2 was brought out 22 months earlier than the XZ-2 iHS which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL2 matches up vs the XZ-2 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 offers physical measurements 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 XZ-2 iHS has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the XZ-2 iHS.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and XZ-2 iHS is 85 and 85 respectively.

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL2 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 uses the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF less difficult. The older E-PL2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.