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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Bump to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Introduced January 2005
  • Alternate Name is EVOLT E-300
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-330
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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Olympus. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-300 was brought out 6 years earlier than the E-PL1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-300 grades vs the E-PL1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-300 E-PL1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-300

 E-PL1 E-300 
LaunchedMay 2010January 2005Fresher by 65 months
Screen size2.7"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.9")
Screen resolution230k134kSharper screen (+96k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-300 E-PL1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-300 features physical dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") and a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 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).

Compare the Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-300 vs the E-PL1.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-300 and E-PL1 is 67 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The visual underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-300 and E-PL1.

All in all, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-PL1 to resolve more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The older E-300 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
48
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-300
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
51
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
37
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
43
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
9
can't shoot video
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus E-300Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-300 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Also called EVOLT E-300 -
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2005-01-10 2010-05-17
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3264 x 2448 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 134k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 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 624g (1.38 lbs) 334g (0.74 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 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 - 290 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $800 $288