Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M
85 Imaging
48 Features
47 Overall
47
![Olympus PEN E-PL2 front Olympus PEN E-PL2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2/Olympus-E-PL2-front.jpg)
![Samsung NX300M front Samsung NX300M front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Samsung_NX300M_7.jpg)
86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Key Specs
(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
- Announced February 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
- Launched January 2013
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Overview
Its time to look closer at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Samsung. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and NX300M (20MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and NX300M (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
The E-PL2 was unveiled 23 months earlier than the NX300M which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PL2 scores vs the NX300M with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Samsung NX300M. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Samsung NX300M Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Samsung NX300M
E-PL2 | NX300M |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Olympus E-PL2
NX300M | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 23 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3.3" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 768k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+308k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Samsung NX300M
E-PL2 | NX300M | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 comes with external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Samsung NX300M has proportions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 and the NX300M.
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M size comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Samsung-NX300M-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and NX300M is 85 and 86 respectively.
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Samsung-NX300M-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specifications. The visual here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and NX300M.
Plainly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Samsung NX300M will provide you with more detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M sensor size comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Samsung-NX300M-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Samsung-NX300M-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Samsung NX300M Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Samsung NX300M | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Samsung |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Samsung NX300M |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-02-11 | 2013-01-03 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Truepic V | DRIMe IV |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 247 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Number of lenses | 107 | 32 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3.3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 768k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 9.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/160s | - |
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, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone 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 | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 362g (0.80 lb) | 331g (0.73 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 573 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 images | 330 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $0 | $699 |