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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 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
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the FP2 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and FP2 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was announced 14 months after the FP2 making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PL2 scores vs the FP2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic FP2

 E-PL2 FP2 
IntroducedFebruary 2011January 2010Newer by 14 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Olympus E-PL2

 FP2 E-PL2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP2

 E-PL2 FP2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 offers outer dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Panasonic FP2 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 versus the FP2.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and FP2 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and FP2.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic FP2 will show extra detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-PL2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FP2 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Panasonic FP2
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than others (151 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic FP2
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography information
Panasonic FP2 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
56
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (151 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Panasonic FP2
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
32
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL2
Vlogging with Panasonic FP2
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
heavier than others (151g)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FP2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FP2
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2011-02-11 2010-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 4.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362g (0.80 lbs) 151g (0.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $0 $80