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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed September 2012
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
  • Announced December 2012
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview

Below, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are produced by Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the E-PL5 (Four Thirds) and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") use different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL5 was launched 3 months earlier than the XZ-2 iHS which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-PL5 matches up versus the XZ-2 iHS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 E-PL5 XZ-2 iHS 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Olympus E-PL5

 XZ-2 iHS E-PL5 
Display resolution920k460kClearer display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 E-PL5 XZ-2 iHS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012December 2012Similar generation
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL5 features external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL5 versus the XZ-2 iHS.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and XZ-2 iHS is 88 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL5 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL5 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL5 will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos much more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography details
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
46
has manual focus
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Street photography camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Street photography camera
85
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
66
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
small sensor size (1/1.7")
heavier than average (346g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Sports photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
good battery (340 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Travel photography camera
75
includes focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse recording
61
good battery (340 shots)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (346g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography factors
Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography factors
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
55
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW formats
good battery (340 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus XZ-2 iHS as a Vlogging camera
78
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have external mic support
36
decently wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
heavier than average (346g)
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Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Olympus XZ-2 iHS
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL5 Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-09-17 2012-12-18
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3968 x 2976
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens support 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 -
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 8.60 m (ISO 800)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (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 format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 325 grams (0.72 lb) 346 grams (0.76 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 49
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 11.3
DXO Low light rating 889 216
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 340 photographs
Style 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $400 $450