Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Here is a detailed analysis of the Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Olympus. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL7 (16MP) and XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the E-PL7 (Four Thirds) and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL7 was announced 21 months later than the XZ-2 iHS which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-PL7 scores versus the XZ-2 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL7 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PL7 Gallery and Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

If you're intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL7 has outer measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has proportions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL7 compared to the XZ-2 iHS.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL7 and XZ-2 iHS is 86 and 85 respectively.

Normally, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL7 and XZ-2 iHS.

As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL7 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-PL7 will show greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent E-PL7 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.