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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Revealed March 2023
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-PL2 versus Sony ZV-E1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the ZV-E1 (12MP) is fairly similar but the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL2 was released 13 years earlier than the ZV-E1 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-PL2 grades against the ZV-E1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL2 ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PL2

 ZV-E1 E-PL2 
RevealedMarch 2023February 2011More modern by 147 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL2 ZV-E1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display dimension3"3.00"Identical display size

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 features exterior dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Sony ZV-E1 has specifications of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") and a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL2 versus Sony ZV-E1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL2 and the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and ZV-E1 is 85 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and ZV-E1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got the exact same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL2 has got the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF more difficult. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
71
has manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Sony ZV-E1
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
84
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (483 grams)
very good high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography information
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography information
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
71
silent shooting (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
good battery life (570 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
max shutter speed is low (1/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Sony ZV-E1
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery (280 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
79
good battery life (570 shots)
lighter than average in class (483 grams)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
display is selfie friendly
low MP (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography factors
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography factors
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 per charge)
does not have Timelapse mode
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3.00 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
good battery life (570 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
85
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 1920 resolution)
includes microphone port
lighter than average in class (483 grams)
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Sony ZV-E1
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Sony ZV-E1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-02-11 2023-03-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 6400 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 195
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.00 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s -
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 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 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x1920
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362g (0.80 lb) 483g (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
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 shots 570 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NP-FZ100
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
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $0 $2,198