Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony WX350: An In-Depth Hands-On Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right camera means balancing your photography style, technical needs, and budget. Today, I’m diving deep into two very different models that emerged in the early to mid-2010s but continue to turn heads in their niches: the Olympus PEN E-PL2, an entry-level mirrorless camera with Micro Four Thirds flexibility, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX350, a compact superzoom designed for versatile all-in-one performance. Both cameras cater to enthusiasts with varying priorities and workflows, yet their specs and real-world usage couldn’t feel more divergent.

After hours of hands-on testing and detailed evaluation, I’ll break down how these cameras perform across multiple photography categories, technical aspects, and usability factors to help you decide which one is right for your needs in 2024 and beyond.

Physical Design & Handling: Compact vs. Ergonomic Ambition

A camera’s first impression must come from how it feels in your hand and fits your shooting style. The Olympus E-PL2 adopts the classic rangefinder-style mirrorless body, providing a blend of retro charm and useful manual controls. Meanwhile, the Sony WX350 is a pocket-friendly compact with a built-in 20x zoom - a decidedly different approach that prioritizes portability over manual flexibility.

At 114x72x42mm and weighing 362 grams, the Olympus is notably larger and heavier than the Sony’s svelte 96x55x26mm profile and 164 grams weight. This size difference is crucial for photographers who prioritize portability and discreet shooting; the WX350 slips comfortably into a jacket pocket or small purse, whereas the E-PL2 demands a dedicated camera bag or strap for ergonomic access.

The PEN’s physical controls, including dedicated dials for shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure, make it far more appealing for anyone wanting to engage actively with settings - something I sorely missed on the WX350’s minimalist layout, which lacks manual modes entirely.

From the top view, Olympus’s more substantial control set and hot shoe for external flashes underscore its semi-professional versatility, something the compact and tightly integrated Sony simply doesn’t offer.

Sensor Details and Image Quality: Big Sensor vs Small Sensor Tradeoffs

Perhaps the heart of any camera comparison revolves around sensor technology -  which significantly affects image quality, dynamic range, low-light performance, and color fidelity.

The Olympus E-PL2 features a Four Thirds CMOS sensor, sized 17.3x13 mm with 12 megapixels resolution. In contrast, the Sony WX350 sports a 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor, much smaller at 6.17x4.55 mm but packing 18 megapixels.

At first glance, the WX350’s higher resolution sounds promising. However, pixel size and sensor area matter heavily. The E-PL2’s sensor area is about 8x larger than the Sony’s, resulting in superior light-gathering ability, dynamic range, and color depth.

Tests confirm that the Olympus delivers richer colors, deeper well-exposed highlights, and better shadow detail. Thanks to the larger sensor, the PEN also offers significantly improved low-light sensitivity (native ISO 100-6400) with less noise, whereas the WX350’s small sensor inherently limits its high ISO usability despite a maximum ISO of 12800.

The Heart of Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability

Autofocus (AF) is critical across most genres - especially wildlife, sports, and street photography, where split-second timing matters.

The Olympus utilizes contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points, including continuous and single AF modes, face detection, and tracking capabilities. While contrast detection can be slower than phase detection in general, Olympus did a solid job with speed and accuracy in good light on the E-PL2, proving capable of tracking moving subjects reasonably well for its class and era.

The WX350, conversely, relies solely on contrast detection AF with unspecified points but implements face detection and center-weighted focusing. It does not support continuous AF tracking, which hinders its performance in fast action and wildlife scenarios. However, it compensates somewhat with a high frame rate of 10 fps burst mode - though notably without continuous AF during bursts.

Screen and Viewfinder: How You Frame Your Shot Matters

Viewing and composition tools greatly affect shooting comfort and accuracy.

Both cameras offer 3-inch fixed LCDs with 460k dots resolution. The Olympus screen benefits from a HyperCrystal LCD with an anti-reflective coating, improving visibility outdoors compared to the Sony’s more conventional screen. However, neither camera sports a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), though Olympus offers an optional EVF accessory for the E-PL2.

For photographers who rely on an EVF - outdoor shooters, macro artists, and professionals alike - the lack of a built-in EVF on both cameras is a downside. But the PEN’s optional EVF adapter adds flexibility versus the Sony’s no-viewfinder design, forcing live view on the rear LCD alone for all shooting situations.

Image and Sample Gallery: Real-World Quality in Action

I always find it telling to see direct comparisons of images under similar shooting conditions.

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Sony WX350 front Sony WX350 screen back

Portraits from the E-PL2 show smoother skin tones, more natural bokeh, and superior subject isolation thanks to the larger sensor and interchangeable lenses. On the WX350, portraits tend to be flatter with less depth, insufficient background separation, and more digital noise at higher ISOs.

Landscape shots from the Olympus demonstrate enhanced dynamic range, capturing both shadow detail and bright highlights with minimal clipping. The WX350’s limited sensor size clips highlights more readily and struggles to resolve fine detail.

For wildlife close-ups, the E-PL2's interchangeable lenses benefit, but the Sony's 20x zoom excels in sheer reach, though image sharpness degrades noticeably at telephoto extremes - an expected tradeoff with compact superzooms.

Burst Rates, Continuous Shooting, and Buffer Capacity

Speed is crucial for action and sports photographers.

The PEN delivers 3 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking, which is modest but usable for casual sports or family action shots. The WX350 offers a faster 10 fps burst rate, but only with fixed-focus between shots - no AF adjustment during bursts - which restricts its action capabilities.

The Olympus’s buffer supports more RAW and JPEG frames before slowing down, catering to more serious shooting scenarios, whereas the Sony’s limited buffer is oriented toward quick JPEG snaps.

Video: Entry-Level HD vs Full HD Capabilities

Video has become an indispensable feature of modern cameras.

The Olympus E-PL2 can record 1280x720p video at 30 fps in Motion JPEG format, which offers basic HD quality but limited editing flexibility and larger file sizes.

The Sony WX350, on the other hand, supports Full HD 1080p recordings at 60p/60i frame rates using AVCHD compression, alongside MP4 video files. It offers significantly better video quality, smoother motion, and more efficient codec performance.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, so audio recording is limited to their built-in microphones.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity: Shooting Duration and Workflow

Shooting endurance affects travel and professional usability.

The Olympus E-PL2’s battery gives around 280 shots per charge, which is low for serious excursion use but standard for mirrorless cameras of its generation.

Sony’s WX350 impresses with 470 shots per charge, a boon for travelers and casual shooters wanting longer shooting times without recharging.

Both cameras use one SD/SDHC card slot; the Sony also supports Memory Stick formats, reflecting its heritage. Connectivity-wise, the WX350 includes built-in wireless for image transfer, whereas Olympus lacks any in-camera Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - a notable drawback today.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers environmental sealing. Both are designed for careful use in fair weather conditions only. The Olympus’s solid metal construction feels more durable, whereas the Sony’s plastic compact body compromises ruggedness for lightness.

Lens Ecosystem and System Expandability

The Olympus E-PL2’s Micro Four Thirds mount taps into a rich ecosystem of over 100 lenses from Olympus and third parties, including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics. This gives creative flexibility that the fixed-lens Sony WX350 simply can’t match.

Price-to-Performance Reality Check in 2024

Neither camera is current; the E-PL2 debuted in 2011 and the WX350 in 2014. Pricing varies widely on used and refurbished markets, with the Olympus typically fetching similar or slightly higher prices due to the interchangeable lens system.

If your priority is straightforward travel shooting, occasional zoom flexibility, and good video, the Sony WX350’s compact design and longer battery life are worth considering.

For photographers seeking creative control, superior sensor image quality, and lens versatility - especially portrait, landscape, and macro shooters - the Olympus E-PL2 remains a compelling entry point into mirrorless photography.

Breaking It Down by Photography Genre: Which Camera Shines Where?

• Portrait Photography: Olympus E-PL2’s sensor size and lens options deliver smoother skin tones, better background blur, and face detection autofocus, making it the clear winner.
• Landscape Photography: E-PL2’s dynamic range and resolution trump the Sony’s small sensor, though the WX350 can still produce decent scenic images for casual use.
• Wildlife Photography: The WX350’s 20x zoom reaches further but image quality falls off at extremes. E-PL2 fares better image-wise but requires telephoto lenses.
• Sports Photography: Neither is ideal, but Olympus’s continuous AF and larger sensor make it a safer choice.
• Street Photography: WX350’s portability and discreetness give it an advantage here.
• Macro Photography: E-PL2 wins with precise focusing, stabilization, and specialized lenses.
• Night/Astro Photography: Larger sensor and higher ISO handling on the Olympus excel; Sony struggles.
• Video: WX350 shoots Full HD 60p video far superior to the PEN’s 720p.
• Travel Photography: WX350’s light weight and long battery life help, but E-PL2’s image quality is better.
• Professional Use: Olympus supports RAW files and system flexibility, key for workflows; Sony is more of a casual snapshot camera.

Final Thoughts: Match the Camera to Your Vision and Style

Both Olympus E-PL2 and Sony WX350 have unique strengths and clear compromises. My take after extensive hands-on trials is:

• Choose the Olympus E-PL2 if:

  • You want creative control with manual settings.
  • Interchangeable lenses and system growth matter.
  • Portraits, landscapes, macro, and low-light are priorities.
  • You accept larger size and shorter battery life.

• Choose the Sony WX350 if:

  • Portability and pocketability are paramount.
  • You want a convenient all-in-one with powerful zoom.
  • Video quality and battery life are important.
  • Manual controls and RAW shooting are less critical.

While these cameras reflect prior-generation standards, the E-PL2’s versatility and image quality continue to impress me, especially for evolving enthusiasts. The WX350 remains a solid choice if you intend to prioritize compactness and convenience.

This side-by-side shows that camera choice is never “one size fits all” - it's about aligning the tool with your unique photographic ambitions.

I hope this comprehensive, experience-based comparison has illuminated these two cameras’ key differences, strengths, and tradeoffs. For photographers seeking a deeper dive on any specific use case, let me know - I’m eager to share more tested insights.