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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL3
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very similar but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and G3 (1/2.3") have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was revealed 2 years after the G3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL2 grades against the G3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony G3

 E-PL2 G3 
LaunchedFebruary 2011January 2009More modern by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Olympus E-PL2

 G3 E-PL2 
Display dimensions3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony G3

 E-PL2 G3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 features outside 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 G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 compared to the G3.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and G3 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over technical specs. The picture here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and G3.

As you can tell, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PL2 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern E-PL2 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Sony G3 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
26
focusing manually
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
Sony G3 Street photography info
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography info
Sony G3 Sports photography info
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (280 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography features
Sony G3 Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (280 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
Sony G3 Landscape photography factors
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (280 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
36
focusing manually
very good size screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging highlights
Sony G3 Vlogging highlights
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
27
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Sony G3
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-11 2009-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-10.0
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 gr (0.80 lbs) 185 gr (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $200