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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-410
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus E-420 versus Olympus E-PL1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-420 was brought out 23 months before the E-PL1 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-420 grades against the E-PL1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-420 E-PL1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-420

 E-PL1 E-420 
ReleasedMay 2010June 2008More modern by 23 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-420 E-PL1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-420 has exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-420 versus Olympus E-PL1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-420 versus the E-PL1.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and E-PL1 is 77 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The picture underneath may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-420 and E-PL1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PL1 to resolve greater detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged E-420 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
56
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average (426g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography advice
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
low battery power (500 shots)
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery power (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-420
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
52
lighter than average (426 grams)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery power (500 shots)
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low battery power (290 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery power (500 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12MP)
low battery power (290 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus E-420Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-420 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-06-23 2010-05-17
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426g (0.94 lbs) 334g (0.74 lbs)
Physical 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 All around score 56 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.1
DXO Low light score 527 487
Other
Battery life 500 shots 290 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $999 $288