Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
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81 Imaging
67 Features
85 Overall
74
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Key Specs
(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
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 453g - 120 x 67 x 53mm
- Released October 2016
- Succeeded the Sony A6300

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Overview
Lets look closer at the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony A6500, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and A6500 (24MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and A6500 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

The E-PL2 was revealed 6 years before the A6500 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL2 grades against the A6500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Sony Alpha a6500. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Sony A6500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony A6500
E-PL2 | A6500 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A6500 over the Olympus E-PL2
A6500 | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2016 | ![]() | February 2011 | Fresher by 68 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+462k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony A6500
E-PL2 | A6500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 features exterior dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) and the Sony A6500 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 453 grams (1.00 lbs).
See the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony A6500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 vs the A6500.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and A6500 is 85 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The visual here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and A6500.
As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony A6500 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-PL2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony A6500 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha a6500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Alpha a6500 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-02-11 | 2016-10-06 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Truepic V | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 24MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 6000 x 4000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 425 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Fastest silent shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 11.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m | 6.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear Sync., Slow Sync., Red-eye reduction (On/Off selectable), Hi-speed sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 362 grams (0.80 lbs) | 453 grams (1.00 lbs) |
Dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 120 x 67 x 53mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | 85 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | 24.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.2 | 13.7 |
DXO Low light rating | 573 | 1405 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 pictures | 350 pictures |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $0 | $1,298 |