• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Nikon AW130

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon AW130 advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    921k 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
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL1
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $392
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Nikon AW130
Olympus E-PL1
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Olympus E-PL1

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

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-P3

Nikon AW130
Olympus E-P3
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Olympus E-P3

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

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Nikon AW130
Olympus E-PL3
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Nikon AW120

Olympus E-PL2
Nikon AW120
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Nikon AW120

Nikon AW130
Nikon AW120
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $219
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Nikon AW120

Compared to Nikon W300

Olympus E-PL2
Nikon W300
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Nikon W300

Nikon AW130
Nikon W300
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $387
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon AW130 vs Nikon W300

Compare Other Cameras?