• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Olympus E-P2

  • Less expensive
    $700 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
    ~ 5.71 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.96 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Olympus E-P2 advantages over Canon XS

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    539g vs 710g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    12.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Olympus E-P2
Pentax K200D
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Olympus E-P2
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Olympus E-P2
Nikon D3000
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Canon XS
Olympus E-PL1
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-PL1
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Canon XS
Olympus E-P3
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Canon XS vs Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P2
Olympus E-P3
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-P2 vs Olympus E-P3

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