Olympus
PEN E-PL2
 vs
Olympus PEN
E-PM1

Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 vs Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

55

  
Olympus PEN E-PL2

42

  

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PM1

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 60fps
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
 
Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed
 

differences

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL2
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 573 ISO vs 499 ISO
Help
 The PEN E-PL2 has a slight edge (0.2 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Color depth Better color depth 21.4 bits vs 21 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.4 more bits of color
Startup delay Less startup delay 1300 ms vs 1800 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 55.0 vs 52.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-PL2

Advantages of the Olympus E-PM1
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
 The E-PM1's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Battery life Longer battery life 330 shots vs 280 shots
Help
 Around 20% more shots per battery charge
Focus points More focus points 35 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Size Smaller 110x64x34 mm vs 115x72x42 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5.5 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 80% faster continuous shooting
Weight Lighter 263 g vs 362 g
Help
 Around 30% lighter
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.7"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Learn more about
the Olympus E-PM1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PL2
42 vs 55
Explain scores
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Olympus PEN E-PM1.

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
External flash Each supports an external flash Help
Better lighting
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
12.2 MP
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
PEN E-PL2:10.2 EV
E-PM1:10.3 EV
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Color depth Poor color depth Help
PEN E-PL2:21.4 bits
E-PM1:21 bits
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
PEN E-PL2:55.0
E-PM1:52.0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$399 with 14-42mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Light sensitivity Slightly lower maximum light sensitivity
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PM2

Olympus PEN E-PM2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$956 with 14-42mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Sensor cleaning Lacks a self cleaning sensor
Compare the PEN E-PM2 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the PEN E-PM2 vs the PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$270 with 14-42mm lens
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN E-PM1
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$379 - $497 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PM1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$514 with 14-42mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$369 with 14-42mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Screen type Has an OLED screen
Weight Is slightly heavier
Light sensitivity Slightly lower maximum light sensitivity
Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$239 - $249 body only

$399 - $419 with 14-42mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the PEN E-PL2
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Olympus PEN E-PL2.

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Samsung NX1000

Samsung NX1000

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$325 - $630 with 20-50mm lens
True resolution Much higher true resolution
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lens availability Fewer lenses available
Compare the NX1000 vs the PEN E-PM1

appearance

Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PM1

discussion

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