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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
 
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL2
Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Launched December 2012
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Olympus E-PL3 versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are produced by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL3 (12MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is very well matched but the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL3 was revealed 15 months before the XZ-2 iHS making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-PL3 grades versus the XZ-2 iHS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 E-PL3 XZ-2 iHS 

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Olympus E-PL3

 XZ-2 iHS E-PL3 
LaunchedDecember 2012September 2011Fresher by 15 months
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 E-PL3 XZ-2 iHS 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL3 enjoys exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") and a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL3 versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PL3 and the XZ-2 iHS.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL3 and XZ-2 iHS is 88 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL3 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL3 includes the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF less difficult. The older E-PL3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography information
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
46
has manual focus
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Street photography information
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography information
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
66
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors (346g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL3
Sports photography with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (340 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
44
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (300 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
better than average battery life (340 per charge)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors (346 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography details
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography details
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
55
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (340 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL3
Vlogging with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
36
fairly wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (346g)
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Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL3 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL3Olympus XZ-2 iHS
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-09-20 2012-12-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 313g (0.69 pounds) 346g (0.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 49
DXO Color Depth rating 20.9 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 11.3
DXO Low light rating 499 216
Other
Battery life 300 images 340 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 Li-90B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $399 $450