Panasonic GF2 vs Olympus E-PL2

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Panasonic GF2 vs Olympus E-PL2

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF2.

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 Panasonic GF3
Compare GF2 vs GF3
Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus E-PL2

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Differences

Panasonic GF2 advantages over Olympus E-PL2

Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 1.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 14 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Panasonic GF2

Less expensive
$600 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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.
E-PL2 test data on DxO Mark GF2 test data on DxO Mark

573 vs 506 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More telephoto lens reach
84 mm vs 28 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
3.0 fps vs 2.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

Common Weaknesses

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
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 Panasonic GF2

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Review Excerpt

Read our Panasonic GF2 Review

Read our Olympus E-PL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic GF2

Olympus E-PL1

$617
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$392
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF2 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 Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3

$617
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$675
4/3

Touchscreen
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3

Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic GF3

$600
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$675
4/3

Touchscreen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GF2

Olympus E-P3

$617
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$561
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF2 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

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3X

$617
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Higher effective ISO

$750
4/3

Touchscreen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic GF3X

$600
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Touchscreen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF5

$617
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$450
4/3

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic GF5

$600
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Hot shoe

$450
4/3

Touchscreen
More dynamic range

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GF5

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