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Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Samsung NX11 front
Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
50
Overall
53

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 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
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL3
Samsung NX11
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Older Model is Samsung NX10
  • Replacement is Samsung NX20
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the NX11 (15MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and NX11 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL2 was unveiled 2 months later than the NX11 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 Samsung NX11 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL2 matches up versus the NX11 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Samsung NX11

 E-PL2 NX11 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX11 over the Olympus E-PL2

 NX11 E-PL2 
Screen resolution614k460kClearer screen (+154k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Samsung NX11

 E-PL2 NX11 
IntroducedFebruary 2011December 2010Similar age
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 has outside dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Samsung NX11 has sizing of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the NX11.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and NX11 is 85 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The graphic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and NX11.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Samsung NX11 will resolve extra detail having an extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography details
Samsung NX11 Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography factors
Samsung NX11 Street photography factors
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung NX11 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
52
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery life (400 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX11 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (280 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
63
better than average battery life (400 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (499 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Samsung NX11
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
68
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
Samsung NX11 Vlogging factors
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
24
includes face detect focusing
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (499g)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX11 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Samsung NX11
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Samsung NX11
General Information
Company Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Samsung NX11
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-02-11 2010-12-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V DRIM Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 15
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Total lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 grams (0.80 lb) 499 grams (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 63
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 10.8
DXO Low light rating 573 553
Other
Battery life 280 shots 400 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $626