Clicky

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released November 2007
  • Also referred to as EVOLT E-510
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-500
  • Updated by Olympus E-520
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
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-PL1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-510 (10MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is pretty similar and they possess the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The E-510 was announced 3 years prior to the E-PL1 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-510 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-510 matches up against the E-PL1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-510 E-PL1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-510

 E-PL1 E-510 
IntroducedMay 2010November 2007Fresher by 30 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-PL1

 E-510 E-PL1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-510 has exterior measurements of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1 has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-PL1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the E-510 vs the E-PL1.

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-510 and E-PL1 is 69 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-510 and E-PL1.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus E-PL1 to offer more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older E-510 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
56
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 Street photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others (490 grams)
fixed screen
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
52
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
low battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-510 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than others (490 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
52
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery (290 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-510 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography info
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
low battery (290 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Olympus E-510 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus E-510Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-510 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Also called as EVOLT E-510 -
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2007-11-23 2010-05-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection 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
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 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
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 490 grams (1.08 pounds) 334 grams (0.74 pounds)
Dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.0 10.1
DXO Low light score 442 487
Other
Battery life - 290 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $550 $288