• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Canon T3i

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    476g vs 1031g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon T3i advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Higher effective ISO
    793 vs 573 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.5 vs 10.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    18.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.6 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL1
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $392
  • 4/3
Canon T3i
Olympus E-PL1
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-5

Olympus E-PL2
Pentax K-5
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-P3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen
Canon T3i
Olympus E-P3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Less shutter lag
Canon T3i
Olympus E-PL3
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon T4i

Olympus E-PL2
Canon T4i
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
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