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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Introduced March 2014
  • Replaced the Sony A3000
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and a3500 (20MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and a3500 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL2 was announced 4 years before the a3500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a3500 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-PL2 grades versus the a3500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony a3500

 E-PL2 a3500 
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Olympus E-PL2

 a3500 E-PL2 
IntroducedMarch 2014February 2011More modern by 37 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony a3500

 E-PL2 a3500 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 provides external measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the a3500.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and a3500 is 85 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through specs. The image here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and a3500.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony a3500 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Sony a3500 Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
77
has manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
Sony a3500 Street photography info
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography highlights
Sony a3500 Sports photography highlights
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
60
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery (470 shots)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony a3500 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (280 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
60
good battery (470 CIPA)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (411 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
Sony a3500 Landscape photography factors
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (280 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good battery (470 shots)
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
Sony a3500 Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
26
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (411g)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony a3500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Sony a3500
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Sony Alpha a3500
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Sony Alpha a3500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-02-11 2014-03-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 5456 x 3632
Highest native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
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
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 gr (0.80 pounds) 411 gr (0.91 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
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 photographs 470 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC -
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $0 $398