• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Higher effective ISO
    703 vs 573 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.26 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Olympus E-PL2

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Buy the Panasonic GX1

Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Read our Panasonic GX1 Review

The Competition

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

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL1
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 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

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX1 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

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL5
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL5

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL5
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Internal flash
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic GF6
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic GF6

Compare Other Cameras?