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Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
31
Overall
38
Olympus E-400 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-400
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 435g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Released September 2006
  • Replacement is Olympus E-410
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
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-400 versus Olympus E-PL1, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-400 (10MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-400 was launched 4 years prior to the E-PL1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-400 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-400 scores against the E-PL1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-400 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-400 E-PL1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-400

 E-PL1 E-400 
RevealedMay 2010September 2006More recent by 44 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k215kCrisper screen (+15k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-400 E-PL1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-400 features external dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") and a weight of 435 grams (0.96 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1 has sizing of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-400 versus Olympus E-PL1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-400 compared to the E-PL1.

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-400 and E-PL1 is 77 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-400 and E-PL1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Olympus E-PL1 to offer more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-400 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
manual mode not available
low resolution (10MP)
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-400
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
60
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-400 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-400 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
49
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low resolution (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-400
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
45
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-400 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic port
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Olympus E-400 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-400 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus E-400Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-400 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2006-09-14 2010-05-17
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Screen resolution 215 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options 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 sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 435 grams (0.96 lbs) 334 grams (0.74 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 290 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $599 $288