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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2

Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67
Olympus PEN-F front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Key Specs

Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Announced January 2016
Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF3
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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic GF2, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and GF2 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The PEN-F was brought out 4 years after the GF2 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the PEN-F matches up vs the GF2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Panasonic GF2

 PEN-F GF2 
RevealedJanuary 2016February 2011More modern by 60 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Olympus PEN-F

 GF2 PEN-F 

Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic GF2

 PEN-F GF2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus PEN-F comes with outside dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Panasonic GF2 has measurements of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).

Compare the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic GF2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the PEN-F and the GF2.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the PEN-F and GF2 is 84 and 88 respectively.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at technical specs. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the PEN-F and GF2.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus PEN-F to give you extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent PEN-F provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 sensor size comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus PEN-F
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF2
75
you can focus manually
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Street photography advice
Panasonic GF2 Street photography advice
84
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
65
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus PEN-F
Sports photography with Panasonic GF2
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
low battery power (330 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Travel photography camera
75
offers focus via touch
decent MP (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery power (330 per charge)
52
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography highlights
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (330 CIPA)
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Vlogging factors
Panasonic GF2 Vlogging factors
78
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of microphone support
32
screen is touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone support
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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic GF2
 Olympus PEN-FPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN-F Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-01-27 2011-02-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 427g (0.94 pounds) 310g (0.68 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 54
DXO Color Depth score 23.1 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 10.3
DXO Low light score 894 506
Other
Battery life 330 photos 300 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,000 $330