Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, We are going to illustrate Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon G12 has external dimensions of 112 x 76 x 48 mm (4.41 x 2.99 x 1.89″) and weighs 401 g (0.88 lb / 14.14 oz) (including batteries). Olympus E-PL2 has external dimensions of 114 x 72 x 42 mm (4.49 x 2.83 x 1.65″) and weighs 362 g (0.80 lb / 12.77 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2. Olympus E-PL2 is 4mm shorter and 6mm thinner than Canon G12 but it is also 2mm wider. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Canon G12 has a built-in lens but Olympus E-PL2 doesn't. Once you put a lens on E-PL2, its thickness will increase significantly.
![Canon G12 vs Olympus E-PL2 Camera Size Comparison - Front View]()
Comparison image of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View
Here is the back view size comparison of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2.
![Canon G12 vs Olympus E-PL2 Camera Size Comparison - Back View]()
Comparison image of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 Size and Weight - Back View
Now lets look at the top view comparison of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2.
![Canon G12 vs Olympus E-PL2 Camera Size Comparison - Top View]()
Top View Comparison image of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 Size
Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Olympus E-PL2 is 39g lighter than the Canon G12 but we don't think this will make a significant difference.
Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on E-PL2, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither Canon PowerShot G12 nor Olympus PEN E-PL2 provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Olympus E-PL2's 3" LCD screen is slightly larger than Canon G12's 2.8" screen.
On the other hand, Canon G12 sports a
Fully Articulated screen which you can change the angle and position of the screen almost freely, making it possible to shoot from waist or over the head levels, and especially very useful for shooting selfies and video. On the other hand, Olympus E-PL2 has a fixed type screen which provides almost no flexibility in shooting positions compared to G12.
Canon G12 has a 10.0MP 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Olympus E-PL2 has a 12.0MP Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Truepic V processor.
Below you can see the G12 and E-PL2 sensor size comparison.
![Canon G12 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Size Comparison]()
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 Cameras
As seen above, Olympus E-PL2 has a 5.4x Larger sensor area than Canon G12. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that E-PL2 has a better overall score of 55, 8 points higher compared to G12's score of 47.
| Model |
Overall |
Color Depth |
Dynamic Range |
Low-light ISO |
|
Canon G12 |
47 |
20.4 bits |
11.2 Evs |
161 ISO |
|
Olympus E-PL2 |
55 |
21.4 bits |
10.2 Evs |
573 ISO |
In this section, we rank and compare Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.
Canon G12 for Portrait Photography
Olympus E-PL2 for Portrait Photography
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Large Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
Optional External Viewfinder
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details
Canon G12 for Street Photography
Olympus E-PL2 for Street Photography
Image Stabilization
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Fully Articulated LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
Read the details
Large Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) sensor
Image Stabilization
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Optional External Viewfinder
Medium sized Body
Read the details
Canon G12 for Sports Photography
Olympus E-PL2 for Sports Photography
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Optical Built-in Viewfinder
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
140 mm Tele Lens
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Read the details
Image Stabilization
Fast Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
11 Focus Points
Optional External Viewfinder
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Slow Continuous Shooting: 3.0fps
Environmental Sealings
Poor Battery Life: 280 shots
Read the details
Canon G12 for Daily Photography
Olympus E-PL2 for Daily Photography
Compact Body
5.0X Optical Zoom
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
401g
Body Thickness 48mm
Read the details
Large Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) sensor
Medium size Body
362g
Body Thickness 42mm
Read the details
Canon G12 for Landscape Photography
Olympus E-PL2 for Landscape Photography
28 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Small 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) sensor
Very Low Resolution Sensor: 10.0MP
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Large Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) sensor
Live-view
Average Resolution Sensor: 12.0MP
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2, below you can find their scores in five different aspects.
Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.
Here is a summary of how Canon G12 and Olympus E-PL2 scores compare:
Canon G12
Ranked
#29 out of 475 in Compact cameras
Ranked
#396 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Olympus E-PL2
Ranked
#78 out of 126 in Rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras
Ranked
#349 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Olympus E-PL2 scores higher than the Canon G12 thanks to its better general imaging quality, compact size and higher value for the money. On the other hand, Canon G12 has some extra features which may become a game changer if you have some specific requirements.
We recommend you to read our detailed Pro's and Con's section and see if any Pro of Canon G12 is a must-have for you. If not, choose the Olympus E-PL2.
| General |
Canon PowerShot G12 |
Olympus PEN E-PL2 |
| Brand |
Canon |
Olympus |
| Announced |
2011-01-19 |
2011-02-11 |
| Body Type |
Compact |
Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor |
|
|
| Type |
CCD |
CMOS |
| Size |
1/1.7" |
Four Thirds |
| Dimensions |
7.44 x 5.58 mm |
17.3 x 13 mm |
| Area |
41.52mm2 |
224.90mm2 |
| Megapixels |
10 megapixels |
12 megapixels |
| Max Resolution |
3648 x 2736 |
4032 x 3024 |
| Max Native Light sensitivity |
3,200 ISO |
6,400 ISO |
| Min Native Light sensitivity |
80 ISO |
100 ISO |
| RAW Support |
|
|
Autofocus |
|
|
| AF Touch |
|
|
| AF Continuous |
|
|
| AF Single |
|
|
| AF Tracking |
|
|
| AF Selective |
|
|
| AF Center |
|
|
| AF Multi Area |
|
|
| AF Live View |
|
|
| AF Face Detection |
|
|
| AF Contrast Detection |
|
|
| AF Phase Detection |
|
|
| Number of Focus Points |
9 |
11 |
Lens |
|
|
| Manual Focus |
|
|
| Lens Mount |
fixed lens |
Micro Four Thirds |
| Lens Focal Range |
28-140 mm (5×) |
no lens |
| Max Aperture |
F2.8-4.5 |
no lens |
| Macro Focus Range |
1cm |
no lens |
Screen |
|
|
| Type |
Fully Articulated |
Fixed type |
| Size |
2.8" |
3" |
| Resolution |
461k dots |
460k dots |
| Touch Screen |
|
|
Viewfinder |
|
|
| Viewfinder |
Optical (tunnel) |
Electronic (optional) |
Photography Features |
|
|
| Max Mechanical Shutter |
1/4000s |
1/4000s |
| Shutter Priority |
|
|
| Aperture Priority |
|
|
| Manual Exposure Mode |
|
|
| Custom White Balance |
|
|
| Image Stabilization |
Optical |
Sensor-shift |
| Built-in Flash |
|
|
| Flash Range |
7.00 m |
10.00 m |
| Max Flash Sync |
1/2000s |
1/160s |
| External Flash |
|
|
| Continuous Shooting |
1.0 fps |
3.0 fps |
| Multi-Segment |
|
|
| Average |
|
|
| Spot |
|
|
| Partial |
|
|
| AF-Area |
|
|
| Center Weighted |
|
|
| AE Bracketing |
|
|
| WB Bracketing |
|
|
Video Features |
|
|
| Max Video Resolution |
1280 x 720 |
1280 x 720 |
| Video Formats |
H.264 |
Motion JPEG |
| Microphone Port |
|
|
| Headphone Port |
|
|
Connectivity |
|
|
| Wireless Connectivity |
Eye-Fi Connected |
None |
| HDMI |
|
|
Physical |
|
|
| Environmental Sealing |
|
|
| Weight |
401g |
362g |
| Dimensions |
112 x 76 x 48mm |
114 x 72 x 42mm |
| Battery Life |
370 shots |
280 shots |
Other Features |
|
|
| Timelapse Recording |
|
|
| GPS |
None |
None |
DxO Sensor Scores |
|
|
| DxO Overall Score |
47 |
55 |
| DxO Color Depth |
20.4 |
21.4 |
| DxO Dynamic Range |
11.2 |
10.2 |
| DxO Low Light ISO |
161 |
573 |
|
Report a correction |
Report a correction |