Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic SZ3

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic SZ3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was brought out 23 months earlier than the SZ3 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-PL2 matches up vs the SZ3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Panasonic SZ3 Gallery.

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL2 offers 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) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL2 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 against the SZ3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and SZ3 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through specs. The visual underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and SZ3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic SZ3 will give greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.