• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 36.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Leica X2

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica X2 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 3200 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

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

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

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Leica X2
Olympus E-P2
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica X2 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

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

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Leica X2
Olympus E-PL2
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica X2 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Leica X2
Olympus E-P3
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica X2 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Olympus E-PL1
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X2
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica X2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Olympus E-PL1
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • $1534
  • APS-C

Compare Leica X2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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