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Olympus PEN E-P2 vs Olympus PEN E-P1

Olympus PEN E-P2

Camera summary

The Olympus PEN E-P2, made by Olympus, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on April 22, 2010.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.2 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.3 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.7 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Olympus PEN E-P1, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Olympus PEN E-P1

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Olympus PEN E-P3, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Olympus PEN E-P3

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 11 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies.

Max video resolutions

1280 x 720

Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

BLS-1

The battery of this camera can last up to 300 shots per charge with the included BLS-1 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Olympus PEN E-P1

Camera summary

The Olympus PEN E-P1, made by Olympus, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on July 29, 2009.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.2 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.3 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.7 out of 5 stars

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Olympus PEN E-P2, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Olympus PEN E-P2

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 11 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies.

Max video resolutions

1280 x 720

Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

BLS-1

The battery of this camera can last up to 300 shots per charge with the included BLS-1 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Af center
No
No
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
Yes
Af Face detection
Yes
Yes
Af live view
Yes
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
No
No
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
No
Af tracking
No
No
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 11 11

Connectivity

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
HDMI
Yes
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity - -
DXO color depth 21.5 21.4
DXO dynamic range 10.4 10.4
DXO low light ISO 505.0 536.0
DXO overall score 56.0 55.0

Exposure mode

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
AKA - -
announced April 22, 2010 July 29, 2009
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
brand Olympus Olympus
msrp $799.00 $181.50
model Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Predecessor model Olympus PEN E-P1
Successor model Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-P2

Lense

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Focal length multiplier
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 128 128

Other features

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
No
No
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
Yes
Yes
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Image stabilization
Yes
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 3.0 fps 3.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 60 60
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Battery life 300 shots 300 shots
Battery model BLS-1 BLS-1
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm 121 x 70 x 36mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 355 grs 355 grs

Screen

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution 230 230
Screen size - -
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Max boosted ISO - -
Max image resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13 mm 17.3 x 13 mm
Sensor resolution 12 12
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor type CMOS CMOS

Headphone port

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution 1280 x 720 1280 x 720
Microphone port
No
No
Video formats Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)

Viewfinder

Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P1
viewfinder Electronic (optional) -
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder