Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Olympus PEN E-P2

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus PEN E-PL3 and the Olympus PEN E-P2, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 was introduced in September 2011 and Olympus PEN E-P2 was introduced in April 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 200 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 35 Focus Points (35 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Tilting Screen
      • 5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Olympus PEN E-P2 Highlights

      • 12 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus PEN E-PL3
      4. Advantage of Olympus PEN E-P2
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Olympus PEN E-P2.

      PROS

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Advantage of Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-PL3
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus PEN E-PL3 over Olympus PEN E-P2.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Olympus PEN E-P2
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 12 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 6,400
      More Powerful Processor Truepic VI vs TruePic V
      More Focus Points 35 vs 11
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Tilting vs Fixed
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 230k dot
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Higher Video Resolution 1920 x 1080 vs 1280 x 720
      Lighter 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz) vs 355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus PEN E-PL3.

      Olympus PEN E-PL6
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL8
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN-F
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL9
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PM1
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P7
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PM2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P3
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Advantage of Olympus PEN E-P2

      Olympus PEN E-P2
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus PEN E-P2 over Olympus PEN E-PL3.

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 vs Olympus PEN E-P2
      Lower Native ISO 200 vs 100
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 499 vs 505
      Higher DxO Color Depth 20.9 vs 21.5
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 10.3 vs 10.4
      Higher DxO Overall Score 52 vs 56
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus PEN E-P2.

      Olympus PEN E-PL7
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL9
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN-F
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL6
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PM2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PM1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL1s
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus PEN E-P2
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Image StabilizationSensor ShiftSensor Shift
        HDMI Output Mini type C Mini type C
        Light313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus PEN E-P2
        Small SensorMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
        Low Resolution Sensor12.3 Megapixel12 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot230k dot
        Low DxO Overall Score5256
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801280 x 720
        Low Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing
        Short Battery Life300 shots300 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Olympus PEN E-P2 have 3.0" screens with 460k dot and 230k dot resolutions respectively. Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a Tilting screen which makes it very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Olympus PEN E-P2 has a Fixed screen

      Cameras does not have built-in viewfinders but optional electronic viewfinder can be attached on Olympus PEN E-PL3 and electronic VF-2 can be attached on Olympus PEN E-P2.

      Sensor

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 features a 12.3 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800. Olympus PEN E-P2 features a 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 is equipped with Truepic VI processor and can take pictures up to 4032 x 3024 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Olympus PEN E-P2 is equipped with TruePic V processor and can take pictures up to 4032 x 3024 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Micro Four Thirds lens mount. Due to their Micro Four Thirds sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      In-Body Image Stabilization

      The cameras have a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a Mini type C HDMI and Olympus PEN E-P2 has a Mini type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 comes with BLS-5 battery pack with battery life of 300 shots and Olympus PEN E-P2 comes with BLS-1 battery pack with battery life of 300 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Olympus PEN E-P2 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus PEN E-PL3, and up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus PEN E-P2. Olympus PEN E-PL3 can shoot continuously up to 5.5 fps. Olympus PEN E-P2 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Olympus PEN E-P2 ranges from 0 to +18 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Olympus PEN E-PL3 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Olympus PEN E-P2.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Olympus PEN E-PL3 and 1/180 sec on Olympus PEN E-P2.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 body has dimensions of 110 x 64 x 37 mm (4.33 x 2.52 x 1.46") and Olympus PEN E-P2 body has dimensions of 121 x 70 x 36 mm (4.76 x 2.76 x 1.42"). Olympus PEN E-PL3 weighs 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz) and Olympus PEN E-P2 weighs 355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz).

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      110 mm

      64 mm

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      121 mm

      70 mm

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      64 mm

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      70 mm

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      37 mm

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      36 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Olympus PEN E-P2

      Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Olympus PEN E-P2 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      GOOD
      78
      •   Small Sensor
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      GOOD
      84
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      GOOD
      83
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Olympus PEN E-P2 and give both of them the score of 63 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      63

      Sensor

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56

      Photo

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      74
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      POOR
      42
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit

      Focusing

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      GOOD
      72
      •   Tilting Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus PEN E-PL3

      Olympus PEN E-P2

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 313 g (0.69 lb / 11.04 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots
      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 355 g (0.78 lb / 12.52 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 300 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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