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Olympus PEN E-PL1s vs Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL1s

Camera summary

The Olympus PEN E-PL1s, made by Olympus, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Nov. 16, 2010.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.6 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
5.0 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.3 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.9 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Olympus PEN E-PL1, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Olympus PEN E-PL1

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Olympus PEN E-PL2, 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-PL2

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. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

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 290 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-PL2

Camera summary

The Olympus PEN E-PL2, made by Olympus, is a powerful Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Feb. 11, 2011.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.6 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
5.0 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.3 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.9 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Olympus PEN E-PL1s, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Olympus PEN E-PL1s

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Olympus PEN E-PL3, 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-PL3

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. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

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-5

The battery of this camera can last up to 280 shots per charge with the included BLS-5 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-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
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
Yes
Yes
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 11 11

Connectivity

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
HDMI
Yes
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity - -
DXO color depth 0.0 21.4
DXO dynamic range 0.0 10.2
DXO low light ISO 0.0 573.0
DXO overall score 0.0 55.0

Exposure mode

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
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-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
AKA - -
announced Nov. 16, 2010 Feb. 11, 2011
Body type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
brand Olympus Olympus
msrp $229.95 $0.00
model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
Predecessor model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Successor model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PL3

Lense

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
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-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
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 10.00 m 10.00 m
Image stabilization
Yes
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 3.0 fps 3.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 60 60
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
Battery life 290 shots 280 shots
Battery model BLS-1 BLS-5
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm 114 x 72 x 42mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 334 grs 362 grs

Screen

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution 230 460
Screen size - -
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
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-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
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-PL1s Olympus PEN E-PL2
viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder