• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Canon ELPH 300 HS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon ELPH 300 HS advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to 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

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Olympus E-PL1
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Olympus E-PL1

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

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-P3

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Olympus E-P3
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Olympus E-P3

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

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Olympus E-PL3
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Canon 320 HS

Olympus E-PL2
Canon 320 HS
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Canon 320 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon 320 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon 320 HS

Compare Other Cameras?