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Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
89
Imaging
60
Features
65
Overall
62
Canon EOS M front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Released July 2012
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL2
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Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Canon M versus Olympus E-PL1s, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Canon and Olympus. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the M (18MP) and E-PL1s (12MP) and the M (APS-C) and E-PL1s (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The M was revealed 21 months after the E-PL1s making them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the M matches up against the E-PL1s in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Olympus E-PL1s

 M E-PL1s 
ReleasedJuly 2012November 2010Newer by 21 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Canon M

 E-PL1s M 

Common features in the Canon M and Olympus E-PL1s

 M E-PL1s 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon M offers physical measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1s has proportions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

See the Canon M versus Olympus E-PL1s in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the M and the E-PL1s.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M and E-PL1s is 89 and 86 respectively.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The pic underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the M and E-PL1s.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Canon M will produce greater detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent M is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon M Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography info
76
focusing manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon M
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
72
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
supports touch focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon M Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography advice
55
good resolution (18MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (230 shots)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography details
63
supports touch focus
good resolution (18MP)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
52
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery life (290 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Landscape photography camera
66
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
good resolution (18MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Vlogging camera
37
touchscreen functionality
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Olympus E-PL1s
 Canon EOS MOlympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model Canon EOS M Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-07-23 2010-11-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 31 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF-M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 23 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298g (0.66 pounds) 334g (0.74 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 827 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 290 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E12 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $510 $599