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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 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
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF3
  • Updated by Panasonic GF6
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the GF5 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL2 was unveiled 13 months earlier than the GF5 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PL2 matches up vs the GF5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic GF5

 E-PL2 GF5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Olympus E-PL2

 GF5 E-PL2 
IntroducedApril 2012February 2011Fresher by 13 months
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GF5

 E-PL2 GF5 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 has outer dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic GF5 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 versus the GF5.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and GF5 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and GF5.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures although you may want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older E-PL2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL2
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
55
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography details
Panasonic GF5 Street photography details
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography information
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography information
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (280 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography details
Panasonic GF5 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (280 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
61
boasts touch to focus
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF5
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (280 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
59
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging information
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
32
touch screen
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GF5
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-11 2012-04-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
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 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 gr (0.80 pounds) 267 gr (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 50
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 20.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 10.0
DXO Low light rating 573 573
Other
Battery life 280 photos 360 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $0 $600