• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.30 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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
  • 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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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
Samsung NX3000
Olympus E-PL1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • 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
Samsung NX3000
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Samsung NX3000
Olympus E-PL3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Olympus E-PL2
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Sony A6000

Olympus E-PL2
Sony A6000
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $659
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Samsung NX3000
Sony A6000
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $659
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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