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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
82
Imaging
68
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Introduced November 2017
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
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL2
Photography Glossary

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Leica CL and Olympus E-PL1s, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the CL (24MP) and E-PL1s (12MP) and the CL (APS-C) and E-PL1s (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The CL was introduced 7 years later than the E-PL1s and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the CL scores against the E-PL1s when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Olympus E-PL1s

 CL E-PL1s 
RevealedNovember 2017November 2010More recent by 86 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kClearer display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Leica CL

 E-PL1s CL 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Leica CL and Olympus E-PL1s

 CL E-PL1s 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica CL offers outside measurements of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1s 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).

Take a look at the Leica CL and Olympus E-PL1s in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the CL compared to the E-PL1s.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the CL and E-PL1s is 82 and 86 respectively.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading through specifications. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the CL and E-PL1s.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The CL having a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Leica CL will resolve extra detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more recent CL will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography advice
72
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
manual focus not available
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica CL
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
73
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
very good high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL Sports photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography details
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/25,000 seconds)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica CL
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
66
offers touch focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
low battery life (220 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (290 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica CL as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Landscape photography camera
68
change lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good high ISO (50,000)
delivers RAW files
manual focus not available
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (220 CIPA)
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (290 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Vlogging camera
33
touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Olympus E-PL1s
 Leica CLOlympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Make Leica Olympus
Model Leica CL Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-11-21 2010-11-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor 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 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6014 x 4014 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 50000 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 30 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/25000s -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 403g (0.89 lbs) 334g (0.74 lbs)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 290 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $3,799 $599