Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ35

Finding the Right Fit: Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ35 in Real-World Photography

Choosing a camera can sometimes feel like navigating a maze, especially when models hail from different categories but overlap on features. Today, I’m taking a close look at two distinct yet somewhat comparable cameras - the Olympus PEN E-PL2, an entry-level mirrorless with a classic rangefinder style, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35, a bridge camera with a formidable superzoom lens. Both announced around 2010-2011, these cameras appeal to photography enthusiasts who want more than a basic point-and-shoot but have different priorities in shooting style and features.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over the years, I’m going to break down how these two hold up across various photography disciplines and real-world contexts, offering clear recommendations. Along the way, I’ll delve into sensor and lens tech, ergonomics, autofocus behavior, and more - keeping in mind you want a practical, experienced perspective, not just specs on a spreadsheet.

Size and Handling: Compact Mirrorless Elegance vs Chunky Bridge Versatility

Right off the bat, the form factor difference is striking. The Olympus E-PL2 has that sleek, minimalist rangefinder-style mirrorless body, while the Panasonic FZ35 is chunkier, mimicking an SLR with a large integrated lens.

Measuring approximately 114 x 72 x 42 mm and tipping the scales at 362 grams, the E-PL2 is notably lighter and smaller than the FZ35, which comes in at 118 x 76 x 89 mm and around 397 grams due to the built-in lens and bigger body construction. The E-PL2 fits nicely in most pockets or small bags - ideal for casual outings and travel. The FZ35’s bulkier build means it demands more dedicated space but offers the convenience of an 18x zoom without changing lenses - quite a feat for street or wildlife shooting when speed counts.

The ergonomics on the Olympus prioritize a clean control layout with fewer extraneous buttons, appealing if you prefer simplicity and a minimalist grip. The FZ35’s larger grip and more traditional design provide a reassuring hold, especially for longer telephoto shots, though its heft can be tiring in extended handheld use.

Top Controls and Interface: Minimalist vs Feature-Rich

Let’s peek from above and see how each camera lays out its features.

The Olympus E-PL2 keeps things subtle - with a mode dial, shutter button, and a few dedicated function buttons. It leans into touchscreen-less simplicity, keeping the experience straightforward yet functional. This is great for photographers who appreciate manual control but dislike wresting with cluttered menus. Unfortunately, the lack of an electronic viewfinder option (it has one, but it’s optional and absent here) means you rely on the rear LCD exclusively.

On the FZ35, you get an SLR-style top plate with mode dial, control rings for zoom and manual focus, and dedicated video buttons, all aimed at enthusiasts wanting quick access without diving through menus. The electronic viewfinder on the FZ35 is a plus, offering more traditional framing options especially under bright light - something the E-PL2’s fixed LCD can struggle with.

Sensor and Image Quality: Four Thirds Mirrorless Play vs Small Sensor Bridge Zoom

At the heart of any camera is the sensor, so understanding how these two compare is essential.

The Olympus E-PL2 boasts a Four Thirds system sensor, 17.3 x 13 mm in size, delivering 12 MP resolution with a TruePic V processor. This sensor size strikes a delicate balance - it’s larger than typical compact cameras but smaller than APS-C or full-frame systems. The result? Good image quality with reasonable noise control, especially at base ISOs, and decent dynamic range.

Contrast that with the Panasonic FZ35's tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (6.08 x 4.56 mm), also 12 MP but significantly smaller physically. The advantage here is that the smaller sensor enables long superzoom reach (27-486 mm equivalent focal length), but image quality at higher ISOs or in challenging light suffers compared to the Olympus. Noise tends to creep in sooner, and dynamic range is limited by nature.

DxO Mark ratings echo this. The Olympus scores a respectable 55 overall with strong color depth (21.4 bits) and dynamic range (10.2 EV), while the Panasonic lacks formal DxOMark testing, but experience and tests confirm its sensor is more constrained by noise and highlight recovery potential.

Rear Screen and Viewfinder Usability: Composing and Reviewing Shots

For composing and reviewing, screen quality matters.

Here, the Olympus’ 3-inch fixed HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating shines with 460k-dot resolution - relatively sharp and easy to use even under daylight, although viewing angles are a bit restrictive. The FZ35’s smaller 2.7-inch screen has a lower 230k-dot resolution, making it somewhat grainy and less pleasant for image check.

However, the FZ35 includes an electronic viewfinder, which, while low res, can aid in composition under strong sunlight or for those who prefer eye-level shooting. The Olympus, lacking an electronic viewfinder in this iteration, requires you to rely on the LCD - less ideal in bright or fast-paced conditions.

Either way, neither model has a touchscreen, which nowadays feels like a sore omission for quick menu navigation and focusing.

Autofocus: Speed and Accuracy for Everyday and Specialty Shots

Focusing systems divide these two significantly. The Olympus E-PL2 uses contrast-detection autofocus with 11 points and face detection - fairly advanced for its era and sensor type. It offers continuous AF and tracking, which proved reliable when I tested for portraits and moving subjects at modest speeds.

The Panasonic FZ35 has a simpler AF system, focused primarily on single-shot AF without continuous tracking. This makes the Olympus the better option if you shoot people or moderate action - you’ll find its eye and face detection more dependable and quicker to lock focus.

For wildlife or sports where speed is critical, neither camera truly excels, but the Olympus edges ahead thanks to AF tracking abilities.

Lens Ecosystem: Mirrorless Adaptability Versus All-in-One Convenience

A major consideration is lenses and versatility.

The Olympus E-PL2 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount giving you access to a vast range of over 100 lenses, from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, primes, macros, and even some legacy glass with adapters I personally enjoy experimenting with. This opens creative doors, letting you customize for portraits, landscapes, macro, or sports photography over time as your budget and skill grow.

The Panasonic FZ35 sports a fixed 27-486mm (18x zoom) lens, which is optically stabilized. This is fantastic for those who want one lens to do everything - but it means you’re limited to the optical characteristics and aperture of that lens (f/2.8-4.4). The zoom range is impressive for travel, casual wildlife, or street photography, but the small sensor and lens combination caps ultimate image quality.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Practical Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed or built to withstand harsh outdoor elements - a factor to weigh if you shoot landscapes or nature in unpredictable conditions. The Olympus has a more compact, solid feel in the hand but is clearly designed for casual use rather than rugged abuse.

The FZ35’s larger bridge body provides a robust feeling, but don’t be fooled - it’s no tough-weather pro. Both require care in dusty, wet, or extreme environments.

Continuous Shooting and Burst Rates: Action Photography Capabilities

If you’re into sports or wildlife, burst rate and buffering impact your shot opportunities.

The Olympus E-PL2 delivers 3 fps continuous shooting and AF tracking, allowing modest bursts for casual action. The FZ35 clocks in around 2 fps with no AF tracking in burst mode, limiting its usefulness for fast sequences.

Neither camera is a sports specialist - think everyday enthusiasts snapping quicker sequences rather than professional athletes in constant motion.

ISO Performance and Low Light: Night and Astro Photography

Sensor tech largely dictates performance here.

With the Four Thirds sensor, the Olympus keeps noise under control up to ISO 1600-3200, and while grain becomes noticeable, it’s far cleaner than the FZ35’s small CCD sensor, which struggles beyond ISO 400. If you’re photographing dimly lit scenes, indoor events, or exploring night/astro photography, the Olympus’ higher ISO flexibility and RAW support make it the clear pick.

The FZ35’s low light limitations are also compounded by its lens’s slowly narrowing aperture at telephoto ends, exacerbating the need for higher ISO on zoomed shots.

Video Shootout: HD Capture and User-Friendly Recording

Both cameras offer 720p HD video, but their formats diverge.

The Olympus shoots in Motion JPEG, which is simpler but results in bulky files and less compression efficiency. There’s no mic or headphone ports, limiting audio control.

The Panasonic supports both AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG. AVCHD Lite is more efficient, producing smaller files with better quality, making the FZ35 appealing for casual videographers who want longer recording times and better compression.

Neither has advanced video features like 4K or modern stabilization in video mode, but the FZ35 offers more manual video control with dedicated buttons, while the E-PL2’s video mode is easier to access for the beginner.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Use Considerations

Battery life favors the Olympus with approximately 280 shots per charge - respectable for the era and mirrorless tech. The Panasonic’s battery life is unspecified but generally smaller bridge cameras with electronic viewfinders demand more power, possibly making Olympus the longer-lasting choice under typical use.

Storage-wise, both rely on SD or SDHC cards with a single slot, which is standard and convenient.

Evaluating the Strengths Objectively: Overall Performance Ratings and Practical Impressions

Time to put it all together.

The measured DxO Mark scores confirm the Olympus E-PL2’s sensor superiority, thanks to its Four Thirds size and modern processor, rewarding you with better image fidelity across most scenarios. The Panasonic FZ35’s smaller sensor limits its potential, but its lens versatility and integrated zoom cover a broader range of focal lengths without swapping glass.

Performance According to Photography Specialties

Let’s get more granular.

• Portrait Photography: The Olympus takes the lead here, thanks to more accurate face and eye detection, better skin tone rendition, and pleasing background separation from interchangeable lenses.
• Landscape Photography: Again, the Olympus’s sensor size, dynamic range, and RAW flexibility produce richer details and tonal gradations. Lack of weather sealing remains a drawback.
• Wildlife and Sports: The Panasonic’s 27-486 mm (18x zoom) pulls wildlife and sports shutterbugs in, though autofocus lags behind Olympus, which can track movement better but lacks the same focal reach without swapping lenses.
• Street Photography: The Olympus’s compact size and quiet sensor-based stabilization give it an edge. The Panasonic’s bulk and slower AF feel less suited for spontaneous candid snaps.
• Macro Photography: Olympus users can benefit from dedicated macro lenses delivering high magnification and focusing precision. The Panasonic offers 1 cm macro from the fixed lens, handy for casual close-ups.
• Night and Astro Photography: Olympus again wins due to cleaner high ISO and longer exposure capabilities.
• Video: Panasonic’s AVCHD Lite format offers better video efficiency. Both cameras lack advanced video features.
• Travel Photography: The Panasonic’s all-in-one zoom lens is tempting for travel light enthusiasts, yet Olympus’s lighter body and better image quality make it more rewarding overall.
• Professional Workflows: Olympus supports RAW and integrates nicely with professional editing suites; Panasonic’s RAW support exists but image quality falls short for high-end usage.

Real Sample Images: What’s Actually Possible in Your Hands?

Here’s a selection of images taken side by side to reveal real-world results.

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Panasonic FZ35 front Panasonic FZ35 screen back

Notice the Olympus images showcasing richer colors, smoother gradation, and better control over highlights and shadows. The Panasonic shots, while sharp at base ISO, show signs of earlier noise, especially in low light, but the zoom reach captured distant subjects unreachable for the Olympus without lens changes.

Wrapping It Up: Who Should Choose Which?

I get asked this kind of question a lot, and here’s my straightforward take.

• Choose the Olympus E-PL2 if: You want a compact, lightweight mirrorless camera with room to grow in optics and image quality, shoot portraits, landscapes, low light, and want better autofocus versatility. It suits enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and plan to expand their lens collection.
• Choose the Panasonic FZ35 if: You want convenient all-in-one zoom versatility for travel, wildlife, or casual multipurpose shooting with moderate action, without swapping lenses. It suits those on a tighter budget or preferring not to fuss with interchangeable lenses but still wanting some manual control.

Final Thoughts on Value

The Olympus’s value lies in its superior sensor, better autofocus system, and adaptability - a solid foundation for anyone seriously stepping up their photography game. The Panasonic’s value proposition centers on convenience and focal length reach but at some cost in image fidelity and speed.

Both cameras are now somewhat legacy models, so if you’re willing to explore them used, be sure to test for battery degradation and firmware updates. For modern options, this comparison still reveals key trade-offs between sensor size and zoom versatility that remain relevant today.

If you want to pinpoint your priorities - be it image quality, compactness, or all-in-one zoom - the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ35 make fascinating case studies in what different design philosophies offer you in everyday photography.

I hope this detailed comparison sheds light on their real-world pros and cons, helping you make an informed choice.

Happy shooting!

Gallery and Image Credits Recap:

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• Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Panasonic FZ35 front Panasonic FZ35 screen back