Olympus PEN E-PL2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC G1 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Olympus PEN E-PL2
39
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G1
36
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G1 are both mirrorless cameras sharing the Micro Four Thirds mount, so a lens collection started on either body carries straight over to the other. The G1 arrived in 2008 as an early mirrorless design, while the E-PL2 followed in 2011. The E-PL2 is the smaller body at 114 x 72 x 42 mm against 124 x 84 x 45 mm for the G1. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 6, 2011 | September 12, 2008 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 114 x 72 x 42 mm | 124 x 84 x 45 mm |
| Camera weight | 362 g | 360 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PL2 is the better pick for handheld shooting in dim interiors, because it offers in-body stabilisation and the G1 does not. That lets the Olympus steady any mounted lens at slower shutter speeds on the shared Micro 4/3 mount. The G1 answers with a built-in electronic viewfinder, useful for eye-level framing in bright sun, where the E-PL2 has no viewfinder at all and relies on its rear screen. The E-PL2 reaches a standard ISO ceiling of 6400, twice the G1's 3200, keeping higher sensitivity settings available as light falls. The G1 counters with 23 autofocus points against the E-PL2's 11, more than twice as many, giving more placement choices for off-centre subjects. Resolution is effectively a match at 12.3 MP against 12.1 MP, and both shoot at 3 fps with a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 12.1 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 | 4000 x 3000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
Live MOS | CMOS |
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 | Venus Engine HD II |
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. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
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 | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 20200009900000 |
| Video | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras cap at Standard HD at up to 30 fps, enough for casual clips and web sharing rather than modern video work. Both record Motion JPEG, with the E-PL2 writing AVI Motion JPEG files. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 36/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G1 is the easier camera for overhead and waist-level shooting, since its LCD flips out and tilts while the E-PL2's screen is fixed. Both offer a 3-inch, 460,000-dot LCD for composing at arm's length. Each has a built-in flash and supports an external flash unit. Wireless transfer needs cards or cables on both, as neither has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Neither body has GPS for geotagging travel shots, and both lack weather sealing. | ||
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 | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe G1's battery rating is the stronger one, at 380 shots against 280 for the E-PL2, a 35.7 percent lead in the rated figures. Each takes one card slot, with the G1 accepting SD, SDHC and MMC while the E-PL2 takes SD and SDHC. Neither charges over USB, so both depend on their dedicated chargers. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLB13 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
280 shots1505000 | 380 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
Choose the E-PL2 for handheld shooting in dim interiors or evening streets: its in-body stabilisation steadies every mounted lens, and its ISO 6400 ceiling keeps higher settings available when light drops. Choose the G1 for daylight work where eye-level framing and flexible angles matter: its electronic viewfinder, flip-out screen and stronger battery rating back it up. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, so your lenses work on whichever body you pick.