Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s
89 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs
(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
(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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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.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe 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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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS M & Olympus PEN E-PL1s. The full galleries are available at Canon M Gallery & Olympus E-PL1s Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Olympus E-PL1s
| M | E-PL1s | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | July 2012 | November 2010 | Newer by 21 months | |
| Display size | 3" | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 1040k | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M and E-PL1s is 89 and 86 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Canon M vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications
| Canon EOS M | Olympus 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 |