• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Olympus E-P2 advantages over Samsung NX100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 31 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Samsung NX100 advantages over Olympus E-P2

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    563 vs 505 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.43 vs 0.96 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.6 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-PL1
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Samsung NX100
Olympus E-PL1
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-5

Olympus E-P2
Sony NEX-5
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX100
Sony NEX-5
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-PL2
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Samsung NX100
Olympus E-PL2
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-P3
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Samsung NX100
Olympus E-P3
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-P2
Sony NEX-5N
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX100
Sony NEX-5N
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
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