• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon G15 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 770 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Canon G15

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.1 vs 19.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    894 vs 165 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Newer
    8 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    39 vs 20 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Review Excerpt

  • Solid built and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Improved AF speed; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture.

  • LCD screen no longer articulated; Optical viewfinder not very accurate and exhibits parallax; No WiFi or GPS.

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Canon G15
Olympus XZ-2
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus PEN-F
Olympus XZ-2
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Canon G15
Pentax MX-1
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus PEN-F
Pentax MX-1
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Canon G16

Canon G15
Canon G16
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus PEN-F
Canon G16
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon G15
Panasonic GX85
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon G15
Olympus E-PL8
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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