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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Launched June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 III
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 V
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony RX100 IV, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and RX100 IV (1") have different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL2 was revealed 5 years prior to the RX100 IV and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PL2 matches up versus the RX100 IV in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony RX100 IV

 E-PL2 RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Olympus E-PL2

 RX100 IV E-PL2 
LaunchedJune 2015February 2011Fresher by 52 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k460kClearer screen (+769k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony RX100 IV

 E-PL2 RX100 IV 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL2 has outer measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 IV has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony RX100 IV in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-PL2 vs the RX100 IV.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and RX100 IV is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL2 and RX100 IV.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL2 using its bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sony RX100 IV will show greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older E-PL2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
65
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
85
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Sony RX100 IV
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
68
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
max frames per second high (16.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low battery (280 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
86
lighter than competition in class (298g)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography features
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography features
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
low battery (280 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
74
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
81
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (298g)
does not have external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Sony RX100 IV
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2011-02-11 2015-06-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 16.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 gr (0.80 lb) 298 gr (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 70
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 12.6
DXO Low light score 573 562
Other
Battery life 280 pictures 280 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $0 $898