Olympus E-PL1 vs E-P2 vs Panasonic GF1: key differences

The E-PL1 is probably best seen as not being in the same class as the E-P1/EP-2 and GF1 at all, but instead behaving more like a 'large sensor compact' than a 'compact DSLR'. But this distinction is blurred by its impressively high spec, to the extent that E-PL1 incorporates several key features missing from the almost-twice-the-price E-P2:

E-PL1 advantages over E-P2:

• Dedicated REC button
• Magnified live view button
• Up to 14x live view magnification
• Lighter low-pass filter
• Built-in flash

E-P2 advantages over E-PL1:

• Two control dials
• More direct-access buttons (including ISO and white balance)
• Superior image stabilization system
• AE/AF lock button
• Orientation sensor
• Larger, 3.0" LCD
• More substantial construction
• 1/180 sec flash sync speed (rather than 1/160)
• Maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec (rather than 1/2000)
• Maximum ISO of 6400
• Virtual level display
• Built-in stereo mics/speakers
• Optional wireless remote

	Olympus E-PL1	Olympus E-P2	Panasonic DMC GF1
Sensor	• 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')  • 13.1 million total pixels  • 12.3 million effective pixels  • RGB (Primary) color filter array	• 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')  • 13.1 million total pixels  • 12.3 million effective pixels  • RGB (Primary) color filter array	• 4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')  • 13.06 million total pixels  • 12.11 million effective pixels  • RGB (Primary) color filter array
Image stabilization	• In body (claimed 3 stops)	• In body (claimed 4 stops)	• Lens dependent
Battery life (CIPA)*	• 290 shots	• 300 shots	• 350 shots
Video mode	• Motion JPEG: 1280 x 720, 30fps 640 x 480, 30fps	• Motion JPEG: 1280 x 720, 30fps 640 x 480, 30fps	• AVCHD : 1280 x 720  • Motion JPEG: 1280 x 720, 30fps 848 x 480, 30fps 640 x 480, 30fps 320 x 240, 30fps
Audio	• Mono (stereo via adapter)	• Stereo	• Mono
Movie REC button?	• Yes	• No	• Yes
LCD screen	• 2.7"  • 230,000 dots	• 3.0"  • 230,000 dots	• 3.0"  • 460,000 dots
Viewfinder	• Optional EVF  • 1.15x magnification  • 1,440k dots  • 100% FOV	• Included EVF  • 1.15x magnification  • 1,440k dots  • 100% FOV	• Optional EVF  • 1.04x magnification  • 202k dots  • 100% FOV
Metering modes	• Digital ESP  • Center-Weighted Average  • Spot (1%)  • Highlight based spot  • Shadow based spot	• Digital ESP  • Center-Weighted Average  • Spot (1%)  • Highlight based spot  • Shadow based spot	• Intelligent Multiple  • Center-Weighted  • Spot
Flash	• Yes (GN. 7.0 at ISO 100)  • Wireless flash control	• No	• Yes (GN.6.0 at ISO 100)
Orientation sensor	• No	• Yes	• Lens dependent
Bracketing	• 3 frames  • 0.3, 0.7 or 1EV steps	• 3 frames  • 0.3, 0.7 or 1EV steps	• 3,5,7 frames  • 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
Connectors	• USB 2.0 (High Speed)  • Video output (PAL / NTSC)  • HDMI	• USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed)  • Video output (PAL/ NTSC)  • HDMI  • Optional wireless remote	• USB 2.0 (High Speed)  • Video output (PAL / NTSC)  • HDMI  • Wired remote control DMW-RSL1 (optional)
Dimensions	115 mm x 72 mm x 42 mm	121 mm x 70mm x 36 mm	119 mm x 71 mm x 36 mm
Weight (body only)	Approx. 298 g (10.5 oz)	Approx. 335g (11.8 oz)	Approx. 285 g (10.1 oz)

* CIPA battery test methodolgy uses the kit lens, uses flash for 50% of the shots and has IS turned on where appropriate.