• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon 310 HS advantages over Olympus E-PL5

  • Less expensive
    $260 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-PL5 advantages over Canon 310 HS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.38 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 28-224mm zoom range; 3-inch LCD with 461K-dots; Full HD movie mode; Good print quality; Fun to shoot.

  • Odd button/switch positions; Moderate chromatic aberration; Soft corners; Dim flash results; Below-average battery life.

  • Excellent image quality with good color and dynamic range; Great high ISO performance for its class; Extremely speedy performer, with fast and accurate autofocus on stationary subjects; Lightweight, compact and ergonomic design; Touchscreen LCD that tilts all the way forward for taking self portraits; Tons of advanced functions and customizable options.

  • Confusing and frustrating menu system takes hours to master; AF isn't optimal for taking fast-motion action shots; LCD viewfinding suffers under direct sunlight; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included).

The Competition

Compared to Olympus Stylus-7040

Canon 310 HS
Olympus Stylus-7040
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • More dots on screen
  • $206
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
Olympus E-PL5
Olympus Stylus-7040
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $206
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung ST200F

Canon 310 HS
Samsung ST200F
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • HDMI out
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-PL5
Samsung ST200F
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $225
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Canon 330 HS

Canon 310 HS
Canon 330 HS
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $320
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Wider angle lens
Olympus E-PL5
Canon 330 HS
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $320
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Canon 310 HS
Panasonic GF6
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL5
Panasonic GF6
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Canon 310 HS
Olympus E-PL7
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL7
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
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