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FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
FujiFilm FinePix S4000 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

FujiFilm S4000
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 540g - 118 x 81 x 100mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Additionally Known as FinePix S4050
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
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FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies FujiFilm and Olympus. The resolution of the S4000 (14MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is very close but the S4000 (1/2.3") and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The S4000 was announced 8 months later than the E-PL1 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the FujiFilm S4000 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S4000 matches up versus the E-PL1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick FujiFilm S4000 over the Olympus E-PL1

 S4000 E-PL1 
ReleasedJanuary 2011May 2010Fresher by 8 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the FujiFilm S4000

 E-PL1 S4000 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the FujiFilm S4000 and Olympus E-PL1

 S4000 E-PL1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The FujiFilm S4000 enjoys external dimensions of 118mm x 81mm x 100mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.9") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1 has dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Take a look at the FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S4000 versus the E-PL1.

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S4000 and E-PL1 is 67 and 86 respectively.

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S4000 and E-PL1.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S4000 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the FujiFilm S4000 will result in greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The more modern S4000 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

FujiFilm S4000 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography factors
35
good MP (14MP)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

FujiFilm S4000 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (540g)
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

FujiFilm S4000 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
47
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with FujiFilm S4000
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
54
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (290 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with FujiFilm S4000
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
41
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Timelapse function
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

FujiFilm S4000 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
24
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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FujiFilm S4000 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for FujiFilm S4000 and Olympus E-PL1
 FujiFilm FinePix S4000Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Name FujiFilm Olympus
Model type FujiFilm FinePix S4000 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Otherwise known as FinePix S4050 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-01-05 2010-05-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 2cm -
Total lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 97% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 118 x 81 x 100mm (4.6" x 3.2" x 3.9") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 487
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 290 pictures
Battery style AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD / SDHC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $279 $288