• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Ricoh GR

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $799 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Ricoh GR advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Higher effective ISO
    972 vs 573 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.5 vs 10.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k 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
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 most compact APS-C camera on the market; Bright, sharp 28mm f/2.8 prime lens with almost no distortion; Excellent image quality; Extremely customizable; Fast autofocus; Strong built-in flash plus hot shoe.

  • Fixed prime lens is not for everybody; Crowded and small controls; Burst performance is limited; Muted colors and cool white balance; Has issues with moire and false color.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL1
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $392
  • 4/3
Ricoh GR
Olympus E-PL1
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • 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
Ricoh GR
Olympus E-P3
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Better color depth
  • $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
Ricoh GR
Olympus E-PL3
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Olympus E-PL2
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
Ricoh GR
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Bigger RAW buffer

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Olympus E-PL2
Ricoh GR II
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Ricoh GR
Ricoh GR II
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
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