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Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2003
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-3
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Lens-style by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and QX1 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-1 was brought out 11 years before the QX1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-1 matches up vs the QX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Sony QX1

 E-1 QX1 
Display dimensions1.8""Larger display (+1.8")
Display resolution134k0kClearer display (+134k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus E-1

 QX1 E-1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014November 2003More modern by 131 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Sony QX1

 E-1 QX1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 enjoys physical dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Sony QX1 has sizing of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-1 versus the QX1.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and QX1 is 59 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The pic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and QX1.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Sony QX1 will result in greater detail having its extra 15MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography details
Sony QX1 Portrait photography details
46
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (5MP)
66
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Sony QX1
57
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition (735g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
69
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (216 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Sports photography camera
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
56
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (440 shots)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than competition (735 grams)
environment proof
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
71
great battery life (440 shots)
comes with touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than average (216 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography advice
Sony QX1 Landscape photography advice
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
64
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (440 per charge)
tiny screen ( inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging details
Sony QX1 Vlogging details
9
can't record video
32
touch screen
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than average (216 grams)
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Olympus E-1 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Sony QX1
 Olympus E-1Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-1 Sony Alpha QX1
Type Pro DSLR Lens-style
Launched 2003-11-29 2014-09-03
Physical type Large SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 1.8 inches -
Screen resolution 134k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 216 gr (0.48 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
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 - 440 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $1,700 $500