Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47


54 Imaging
66 Features
62 Overall
64
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 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
- Released February 2011
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
- Replacement is Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Announced October 2008
- Updated by Sony A99

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and A900 (25MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and A900 (Full frame) posses different sensor sizing.

The E-PL2 was manufactured 2 years after the A900 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A900 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-PL2 scores vs the A900 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL2 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery & Sony A900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony A900
E-PL2 | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2011 | ![]() | October 2008 | Newer by 29 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Olympus E-PL2
A900 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony A900
E-PL2 | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 offers physical 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 Sony A900 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL2 and the A900.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and A900 is 85 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by viewing specifications. The image here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and A900.
Plainly, both of those cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL2 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A900 will provide you with greater detail due to its extra 13MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern E-PL2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A900 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2011-02-11 | 2008-10-22 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Truepic V | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 25 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 6048 x 4032 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Number of lenses | 107 | 143 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 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, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/250s |
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) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 362 gr (0.80 lb) | 895 gr (1.97 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 55 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.2 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light score | 573 | 1431 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 images | 880 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Price at launch | $0 | $2,736 |