Olympus PEN E-P2 vs Olympus PEN E-PL2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Olympus PEN E-P2
40
WINNER
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Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Olympus PEN E-PL2
39
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-P2 and the Olympus PEN E-PL2 are both mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds system, so any Micro 4/3 lens you already own fits either body. The E-P2 arrived in 2009 and the E-PL2 followed in 2011, making the E-PL2 the later of the two generations. Their measurements differ slightly. The E-P2 measures 121 x 70 x 36 mm and weighs 355 g, while the E-PL2 is 114 x 72 x 42 mm and weighs 362 g, a 7 g difference. The E-PL2 is slightly narrower but deeper and taller. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 5, 2009 | January 6, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 121 x 70 x 36 mm | 114 x 72 x 42 mm |
| Camera weight | 355 g | 362 g |
| Optics | 45/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor everyday photography, both cameras deliver the same resolution: 12.3 megapixel images from a Micro Four Thirds format sensor, processed by the same TruePic V engine. Both also offer in-body stabilisation, so handheld shots in dim interiors are steadied on either body. The E-P2 gives landscape and flash shooters a useful edge: base sensitivity of 100 ISO against 200 ISO on the E-PL2, which allows wide apertures in bright light. The working envelope then matches on the main settings: a shared 6400 ISO ceiling, a 1/4000 second top shutter speed, 3 fps continuous shooting and 11 autofocus points, and neither body offers a viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4032 x 3024 | 4032 x 3024 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
NMOS | Live MOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic V | TruePic V |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor casual clips of family events or travel moments, both cameras record Standard HD at up to 30 fps in AVI Motion JPEG, so either body produces the same footage. Neither offers built-in timelapse, so interval work needs external triggering on both. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Standard HD | Standard HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVI Motion JPEG | AVI Motion JPEG |
| Features | 36/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-PL2 is the more self-contained camera for fill flash, because it has a built-in flash while the E-P2 relies entirely on an external unit. For candid indoor shots or a backlit portrait on the go, that pop-up flash saves carrying an accessory; both cameras retain a hot shoe for dedicated flash guns. The E-PL2 also has the denser screen for checking focus and reviewing shots: 460,000 dots against 230,000 on the E-P2, twice the dot count. Both screens are fixed 3-inch LCDs without touch control. Neither camera offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so neither body provides location tagging or wireless transfer. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage matches: both cameras write to SD and SDHC cards in a single slot. Battery ratings differ modestly, with the E-P2 rated for 300 shots against 280 for the E-PL2, a 20-shot gap under their respective test conditions. They also take different batteries, the BLS-1 and the BLS-5, so spares do not transfer between them. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-1 | BLS-5 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
300 shots1505000 | 280 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | [object Object] | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | complete | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers, the E-PL2 is the better pick: its built-in flash covers candid indoor shots without an accessory, and its 460,000-dot screen, twice the dot count of the E-P2's, aids focus checks and review. Anyone shooting landscapes or outdoor portraits at wide apertures may still prefer the E-P2 for its 100 ISO base sensitivity and higher rated battery life.
Whichever you choose, the shared Micro 4/3 mount means your lenses and SD cards carry over between them. These are 2009 and 2011 designs, so expect fixed screens and no wireless connectivity rather than modern features.