Olympus PEN E-PL1 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-PL1
39
SCORE
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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-PL1 and the Olympus PEN E-PL2 are compact mirrorless cameras offering interchangeable lenses in small bodies. The E-PL1 arrived in 2010 and the E-PL2 followed in 2011 as the next generation of the PEN line. Their bodies are nearly identical in size, with the E-PL2 measuring 114 x 72 x 42 mm against 115 x 72 x 42 mm for the E-PL1. The E-PL2 is the heavier of the two at 362 g versus 334 g, a 28 g difference that is worth knowing when packing a small travel kit. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 3, 2010 | January 6, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 72 x 42 mm | 114 x 72 x 42 mm |
| Camera weight | 334 g | 362 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PL2 offers more flexibility in bright light and dim interiors. Its 1/4000 second shutter lets you shoot wide apertures in sunshine without overexposing, where the E-PL1 stops at 1/2000 second. Its 6400 ISO ceiling also doubles the E-PL1's 3200 ISO maximum. The E-PL1 keeps one edge: its 100 ISO base sits below the E-PL2's 200 ISO, helping with long exposures and wide apertures in daylight. Both share 12.3 MP resolution, the Micro 4/3 lens mount and in-body stabilisation, so your lenses carry across either body. The E-PL1 uses an NMOS sensor and the E-PL2 a Live MOS sensor. | ||
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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
200080032000 | 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, both cameras record Standard HD video, support frame rates up to 30 fps and offer no built-in timelapse. The file format differs: the E-PL2 records AVI Motion JPEG and the E-PL1 AVI, so check which your editing software handles better. | ||
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 | AVI Motion JPEG |
| Features | 34/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-PL2 is clearly the better camera for composing and reviewing images, with a 3 inch LCD at 460000 dots against the E-PL1's 2.7 inch screen at 230000 dots. The larger, sharper display makes it easier to check focus on your shots straight after capture, which matters when neither camera has a viewfinder. Both offer live view, a built-in flash and a hot shoe, so fill light for portraits works on either body. Both lack touch control, weather sealing, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so wireless transfer and geotagging need add-ons. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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 | 2.7" | 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 works the same way on both: each takes SD and SDHC cards in a single slot, so the same cards serve either body. Neither supports USB charging, so spare batteries remain the practical route for long days. The batteries differ. The E-PL1 uses a BLS-1 pack rated at 290 shots and the E-PL2 a BLS-5 pack rated at 280, so spares do not carry between the two bodies. The 10 shot gap between ratings is too small to drive the choice. | ||
| 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. |
290 shots1505000 | 280 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The E-PL2 is the better buy for most photographers. Its 1/4000 second shutter handles wide-aperture portraits in sunshine, and its 6400 ISO setting helps with dim interiors and evening streets. Its larger, sharper 3 inch screen makes framing and focus checking easier.
Choose the E-PL1 instead if you want its 100 ISO base for long exposures or wide apertures in daylight, or if you already own BLS-1 batteries. Otherwise the E-PL2's improvements favour it for everyday shooting.