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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2011
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS16
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FH2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and FH2 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was brought out 2 months later than the FH2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH2 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-PL2 matches up against the FH2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic FH2

 E-PL2 FH2 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus E-PL2

 FH2 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FH2

 E-PL2 FH2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011January 2011Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with outer dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic FH2 has measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") along with a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FH2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 and the FH2.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and FH2 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by checking out specifications. The graphic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and FH2.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic FH2 will show extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH2 Portrait photography details
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
33
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
lighter than average in class (121 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic FH2
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (280 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
great battery power (270 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography information
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (280 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
72
great battery power (270 shots)
lighter than average in class (121g)
boasts focus via touch
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH2 as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
not so great battery (280 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
great battery power (270 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FH2 Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (121g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-02-11 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 gr (0.80 pounds) 121 gr (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 images 270 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $0 $149