Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
47
68 Imaging
37 Features
40 Overall
38
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
- Revealed February 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Replacement is Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
- Announced July 2010
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ40, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.
Photography GlossaryThe E-PL2 was unveiled 7 months later than the FZ40 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-PL2 grades versus the FZ40 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Panasonic FZ40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic FZ40
E-PL2 | FZ40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2011 | July 2010 | More recent by 7 months | |
Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-PL2
FZ40 | E-PL2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ40
E-PL2 | FZ40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | More accurate focus | |||
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal display size | |
Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen | |||
Touch friendly display | Neither comes with Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with physical measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has specifications of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL2 and the FZ40.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and FZ40 is 85 and 68 respectively.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and FZ40.
All in all, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FZ40 will show extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics more aggressively. The more modern E-PL2 should have an advantage in sensor technology.
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 |
Alternate name | - | Lumix DMC-FZ45 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2011-02-11 | 2010-07-21 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Truepic V | Venus Engine HD II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface 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 |
Full resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/2.8-5.2 |
Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | 9.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/160 seconds | - |
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 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 362 grams (0.80 pounds) | 494 grams (1.09 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") |
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 shots | - |
Battery style | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $0 | $420 |