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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
62
Overall
51

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(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
  • Released February 2011
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 616g - 130 x 94 x 119mm
  • Announced January 2017
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ82
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ80, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and FZ80 (18MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and FZ80 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was introduced 6 years earlier than the FZ80 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-PL2 matches up against the FZ80 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic FZ80

 E-PL2 FZ80 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Olympus E-PL2

 FZ80 E-PL2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017February 2011More modern by 71 months
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ80

 E-PL2 FZ80 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 provides external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ80 has specifications of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") accompanied by a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the FZ80.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and FZ80 is 85 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The image here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and FZ80.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FZ80 will show greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL2
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ80
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
58
manual focus
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography information
Panasonic FZ80 Street photography information
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
54
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (616 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography information
Panasonic FZ80 Sports photography information
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
57
amazing zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ80 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery (280 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
59
supports touch focus
megapixel count good (18MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (20mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
heavier than average in class (616 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FZ80 Landscape photography factors
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
57
manual focus
quite wide (20mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (18MP)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging highlights
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
28
quite wide (20mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
heavier than average in class (616g)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FZ80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FZ80
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-FZ82
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-02-11 2017-01-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 49
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 20-1200mm (60.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 14.10 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 lb) 616g (1.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 shots 330 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 $399