Canon XSi vs Olympus E-PL2

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Canon XSi vs Olympus E-PL2

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APS-C 328.6mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon XSi Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XSi.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL2.

Succeeded by the Canon T1i
Compare XSi vs T1i
Compare Canon T1i vs Olympus E-PL2

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Differences

Canon XSi advantages over Olympus E-PL2

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 5.20 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
XSi test data on DxO Mark E-PL2 test data on DxO Mark

692 vs 573 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 280 shots
Capture more photos
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.43 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 14 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Canon XSi

Less expensive
$600 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
42 mm vs 61 mm
Thinner
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
460k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 1600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Read our Canon XSi Full Review

Read our Olympus E-PL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D60

Canon XSi

Nikon D60

$649
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Less shutter lag

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Nikon D60

Olympus E-PL2

Nikon D60

$600
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon XSi

Pentax K2000

$649
APS-C

More pixels
More AF points

$556
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Canon XSi vs Pentax K2000

Olympus E-PL2

Pentax K2000

$600
4/3

Less expensive
Thinner

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Canon T1i

Canon XSi

Canon T1i

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

Compare Canon XSi vs Canon T1i

Olympus E-PL2

Canon T1i

$600
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Canon T1i

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Canon XSi

Olympus E-PL1

$649
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$392
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XSi vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Canon XSi

Olympus E-P3

$649
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$561
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Canon XSi vs 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

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