Olympus E-PL3 vs PEN E-P2

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PL3

Higher resolution movies

1080p @ 30fps

720p @ 30fps

Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video

Has a flip-out screen

Yes

Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies

Higher resolution screen

460k dots

230k dots

2x higher resolution screen

Has boost ISO

12,800 ISO

None

Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image

Shoots slightly faster

5.5 fps

3 fps

More than 80% faster continuous shooting

Smaller

109x63x37 mm

121x70x36 mm

More than 10% smaller

Lighter

313 g

355 g

More than 10% lighter

Learn more about
the Olympus E-PL3

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P2

Better color depth

21.5 bits

20.9 bits

Distinguishes 0.6 more bits of color

Better image quality

56.0

52.0

Around 10% better image quality

Better maximum light sensitivity

3,200 ISO

1,600 ISO

The PEN E-P2's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better

Slightly larger sensor

Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm

Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm

Around 10% larger sensor

Slightly cheaper

$479.95

$589.00

The best price we've seen is $109 cheaper (around 20% less)

Slightly thinner

1.4"

1.5"

Almost the same

Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-P2

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

57	vs	47
Explain scores

Olympus PEN E-P2

Snapsort recommends the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the E-PL3 or the PEN E-P2,

For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

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votes

by Jill-Miller 3 days ago

Olympus PEN E-P2 vs Sony NEX-5

Taking great photos on vacation, with frends without too much trouble.

I have a digital point and shoot and want to upgrade to an SLR. Size (smaller ) and weight (lig...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Good image stabilization
	Sensor shift

	Long exposures
	60 seconds

	No built-in flash
	Professional

	Neither camera can take 3D photos
	No 3d support

Poor maximum light sensitivity

E-PL3:	1,600 ISO
PEN E-P2:	3,200 ISO

	Neither camera stitches together panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

	Capture low resolution images
	12.2 MP

	Neither has in-camera HDR
	You could do HDR manually

	No touchscreens
	More buttons

	Neither has an external mic jack
	Limited to the in-camera mic

	No support for 24p
	Missing that film look

Poor dynamic range

E-PL3:	10.3 EV
PEN E-P2:	10.4 EV

	No viewfinders
	Can only preview photos on the screen

Low resolution screens

E-PL3:	460k dots
PEN E-P2:	230k dots

Above average noise at high ISO

E-PL3:	499 ISO
PEN E-P2:	505 ISO

dxomark

competitors

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens

Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity

Has a built-in flash

Is thicker

Is slightly larger

Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Has a slightly higher resolution screen

Has a touch screen

Is slightly more expensive

Is slightly heavier

Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity

Creates panoramas in-camera

Compare the PEN E-PM1 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-PM1 vs the PEN E-P2

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Is significantly less noisy at high ISO

Has significantly better image quality

Significantly shorter exposures

Slightly fewer lenses available

Compare the NEX-5N vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the NEX-5N vs the PEN E-P2

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Is slightly less noisy at high ISO

Has slightly better image quality

Significantly shorter exposures

Slightly fewer lenses available

Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

Has an external mic jack

Is slightly less expensive

Has a slower max shutter speed

Is thicker

Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the PEN E-P2

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

Records high-speed movies

Shoots faster continuously

Significantly shorter exposures

Doesn't support an external flash

Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN Lite E-PL3

Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-P2

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3.

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Olympus PEN E-P2.

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Olympus PEN Lite
E-PL3
vs
Olympus
PEN E-P2

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-P2

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P2

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PL3

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P2

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

advice

Need help deciding?

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Nikon 1 J1

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-P2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 0 comments

Olympus PEN LiteE-PL3 vs OlympusPEN E-P2

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN E-P2

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-P2

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PL3

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-P2

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

advice

Need help deciding?

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

dxomark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Sony NEX-5N

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Nikon 1 J1

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus PEN E-P2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

appearance

discussion

Showing 0 comments

Olympus PEN Lite
E-PL3
vs
Olympus
PEN E-P2