Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic XS1

Here, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic XS1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and XS1 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was brought out 23 months earlier than the XS1 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PL2 scores against the XS1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Panasonic XS1 Gallery.

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 offers exterior 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 XS1 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic XS1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 versus the XS1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and XS1 is 85 and 97 respectively.

Usually, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and XS1.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic XS1 will offer you extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.