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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
82
Imaging
68
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Released November 2017
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Olympus. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the CL (24MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) and the CL (APS-C) and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The CL was brought out 7 years after the E-PL1 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the CL scores vs the E-PL1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Olympus E-PL1

 CL E-PL1 
RevealedNovember 2017May 2010More modern by 92 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Leica CL

 E-PL1 CL 
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Leica CL and Olympus E-PL1

 CL E-PL1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Leica CL has physical measurements of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") and a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has sizing of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check the Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the CL and the E-PL1.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the CL and E-PL1 is 82 and 86 respectively.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by going over specifications. The image underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the CL and E-PL1.

Plainly, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The CL because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Leica CL will deliver more detail having its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The younger CL is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
72
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
manual focus not available
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica CL Street photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
73
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
above average high ISO (50,000)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/25,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica CL Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography highlights
66
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
low battery pack (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica CL Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
68
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (50,000)
supports RAW formats
manual focus not available
does not have image stabilization
low battery pack (220 shots)
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
33
touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic socket
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic socket
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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Olympus E-PL1
 Leica CLOlympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Olympus
Model Leica CL Olympus PEN E-PL1
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2017-11-21 2010-05-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6014 x 4014 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 50000 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 30 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/25000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest 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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 403g (0.89 pounds) 334g (0.74 pounds)
Physical dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 54
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 487
Other
Battery life 220 images 290 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch price $3,799 $288