Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V
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)
![Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V/Sony-HX30V-front.jpg)
90 Imaging
42 Features
50 Overall
45
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V 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
- Launched February 2011
- Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
- Updated by Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
- 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
- Announced February 2012
- Earlier Model is Sony HX20V
- Successor is Sony HX50V
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Overview
Below, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Sony. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and HX30V (1/2.3") feature different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
The E-PL2 was manufactured 12 months before the HX30V and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.
Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL2 grades vs the HX30V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL2 Gallery and Sony HX30V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony HX30V
E-PL2 | HX30V |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus E-PL2
HX30V | E-PL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | More recent by 12 months |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony HX30V
E-PL2 | HX30V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither has Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 has outside dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has specifications of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).
Analyze the Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera and 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 Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL2 against the HX30V.
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V size comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and HX30V is 85 and 90 respectively.
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The visual below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and HX30V.
As you can see, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL2 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony HX30V will result in extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos much more aggressively. The older E-PL2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PL2-vs-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-HX30V-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony HX30V Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2011-02-11 | 2012-02-28 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Truepic V | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 18MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4896 x 3672 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-500mm (20.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.2-5.8 |
Macro focus distance | - | 1cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 10.00 m | 7.10 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 362g (0.80 pounds) | 254g (0.56 pounds) |
Dimensions | 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") | 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 573 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 photos | 320 photos |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $0 | $420 |