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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-420 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
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
  • Launched November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the E-PL1s (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-420 was released 3 years earlier than the E-PL1s which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-420 matches up versus the E-PL1s with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E-420 E-PL1s 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus E-420

 E-PL1s E-420 
LaunchedNovember 2010June 2008Newer by 29 months

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-PL1s

 E-420 E-PL1s 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-420 enjoys outer dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1s has dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-420 and the E-PL1s.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-420 and E-PL1s is 77 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specifications. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and E-PL1s.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus E-PL1s to resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged E-420 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-420
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1s
57
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (10 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-420
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1s
64
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (426g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography information
39
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery (500 per charge)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography advice
53
lighter than competition in class (426 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (500 shots)
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
52
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography information
47
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (500 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-420
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1s
9
can't record video
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Olympus E-420 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus E-420Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-420 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-06-23 2010-11-16
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip 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 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
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
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 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 pounds) 334g (0.74 pounds)
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 rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 290 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $999 $599