Olympus E-620 vs Olympus Stylus 1s: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing between two very differently designed Olympus cameras - the 2009 entry-level digital SLR Olympus E-620 and the 2015 compact superzoom bridge camera Olympus Stylus 1s - can be tricky. Both cars come from the same brand but address distinct shooting styles and user expectations. After testing these cameras extensively over years and putting them through their paces in varied real-world conditions, I’m going to break down their differences, advantages, and drawbacks to give you a clear, practical perspective. Whether you’re an enthusiast stepping up from a point-and-shoot or a seasoned pro seeking a specialized tool, read on to see which is best suited to your photography ambitions.

A Matter of Size and Handling: Ergonomics at a Glance

The Olympus E-620 and Stylus 1s differ fundamentally in design philosophy. The E-620 is a compact DSLR with a classic body style, interchangeable lenses, and a rugged feel, while the Stylus 1s is a bridge camera dressed in an SLR-esque body but with a fixed zoom lens and a focus on travel-friendly versatility.

From handling perspectives, the E-620 feels chunkier due to its mirror and pentamirror optical viewfinder assembly, measuring 130 x 94 x 60 mm and weighing 500 grams with battery. The Stylus 1s is smaller and lighter at 116 x 87 x 57 mm and 402 grams, offering a sturdier grip with its thumb rest and manual controls positioned for quicker access in a bridge camera. The articulated 2.7-inch screen on the E-620 aids versatility in low-angle shooting, although its resolution (230K pixels) feels dated. The Stylus 1s’s 3-inch tilting screen with 1.04M-dot resolution is noticeably sharper and incorporates touchscreen functionality, streamlining focus adjustments and menu navigation - a definite plus for on-the-go shooting.

The E-620 shines if you prefer the tactile feedback of an optical viewfinder and the heft of a traditional DSLR, while the Stylus 1s suits those valuing compactness and touchscreen ease without the bulk or complexity of lens changes.

Sensor and Image Quality: Four Thirds vs 1/1.7-inch BSI-CMOS

Here's where the technical differences start to shape expected image performance.

The Olympus E-620 sports a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm²), which is substantially larger than the Stylus 1s’s 1/1.7" sensor at 7.44 x 5.58 mm (41.5 mm²). Both cameras offer 12-megapixel resolution, with native ISO ranges from 100 to 3200 on the E-620 and an expanded 100 to 12,800 on the Stylus 1s.

From a practical standpoint, the larger sensor of the E-620 provides better dynamic range (measured at 10.3 stops on DxOMark) and superior color depth (21.3 bits), translating into richer tonality, particularly in challenging light conditions. You’ll notice the difference when shooting landscapes or portraits where subtle gradations in skin tones matter. The Stylus 1s’s smaller sensor tends to produce noisier images at higher ISOs and less dynamic detail, though its backside-illuminated CMOS design is better optimized for low-light compared to other compact sensors of its time.

If your priority is image quality, especially under varying lighting - say, in landscape or portrait photography - the E-620’s Four Thirds sensor gives you a clear edge. For casual travel or street shooting where compactness outweighs ultimate picture quality, the Stylus 1s’s sensor is surprisingly competent but limited in low-light finesse.

Focusing Systems: Precision vs Speed

Autofocus can make or break your shoot - especially in wildlife, sports, or action scenarios.

The E-620 offers a 7-point phase-detection plus contrast-detection hybrid AF system with face detection support and selectable AF areas. While solid for entry-level DSLRs at the time, it lacks advanced subject tracking or animal eye AF found in modern cameras. Continuous AF runs at 4 fps, adequate for amateur action but likely to struggle with fast wildlife or sports.

The Stylus 1s takes a different route with a contrast-detection only AF system boasting 35 focus points and continuous tracking capabilities. Its hybrid design lacks phase detect but in real-world use offers quicker autofocus acquisition and better focus tracking on moving subjects despite the sensor size handicap. The inclusion of touch AF allows precision focusing even in live view or video.

Considering autofocus speed and accuracy, the Stylus 1s surprisingly comes out ahead for dynamic subjects like sports and wildlife, thanks to more focus points and continuous AF tracking, although it may lose out on manual precision that DSLR enthusiasts appreciate in the E-620.

Shooting Speed and Burst Performance

The continuous shooting capability is a crucial factor for sports and wildlife photographers.

The E-620 can shoot at 4 fps, which is reasonable but somewhat limited by today’s standards. Its buffer size and slower storage cards (CompactFlash or xD Picture Card) restrict prolonged burst shooting.

In contrast, the Stylus 1s reaches 7 fps, nearly doubling the frame rate, benefiting from SD card storage with faster write speeds. Yet, buffer depth - how many frames you can shoot sequentially before slowdown - is modest.

If catching fast action sequences is your priority, the Stylus 1s's speed gives it an advantage for more frames per second, albeit with smaller sensor limitations affecting high ISO noise and image quality in fast-paced environments.

LCDs and Viewfinders: Optical vs Electronic

The E-620’s 2.7-inch HyperCrystal fully articulated LCD is flexible but low-resolution and lacks touch sensitivity. Its optical pentamirror viewfinder covers 95% of the field with 0.48x magnification - adequate for composing and maintaining eye contact in bright light but not spectacular in clarity.

The Stylus 1s boasts a 3-inch tilting LCD touchscreen, excellent for composition versatility and menu access. Its OLED electronic viewfinder with 1.44M-dot resolution covers 100% of the frame, offering a crisp preview of exposure, white balance, and effects in real-time. The EVF also enables framing in low light where an optical finder would be dark.

In practice, if you need an informative, customizable view with overlays and histogram - especially for video - the Stylus 1s is highly preferable. For those who detest electronic viewfinders’ slight lag or resolution quirks, the E-620’s optical finder remains a welcome traditional feature.

Lens Ecosystem: Expandability Matters

One advantage the E-620 holds dear is its Micro Four Thirds lens mount providing access to approximately 45 native and third-party interchangeable lenses, from ultra-wide to super-telephoto. Owning an E-620 means you can tailor your setup whether shooting macro, landscape, portrait, or wildlife.

Conversely, the Stylus 1s’s fixed 28-300mm equivalent zoom with constant f/2.8 aperture appeals to photographers who desire an all-in-one solution without the fuss of changing lenses. Its bright zoom range is versatile - from wide angle landscapes or street scenes to medium telephoto portraits - though at the cost of sensor size and depth of field control.

Hence, if you’re a lens person who enjoys optical creativity and future-proofing, the E-620 is the clear winner. For convenience, travel, or events where swapping lenses isn’t ideal, the Stylus 1s covers a broad focal length range admirably.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera boasts weather sealing, dust proofing, or freeze resistance, which limits professional field use in harsh conditions. Both are constructed with plastic bodies, but the E-620 feels more substantial due to its DSLR chassis, while the Stylus 1s’s design emphasizes lightweight portability over ruggedness.

If durability in challenging environments is critical, these cameras might not fit your needs without additional protection.

Battery Life and Storage: Reliability on the Go

The E-620 uses the BLS-1 battery, rated for about 500 shots per charge, while the Stylus 1s’s BLS-50 battery offers slightly less, around 450 shots. These figures are from manufacturer claims; real-world use with live view and flash will push limits lower.

Storage-wise, the E-620 supports CompactFlash (Type I or II) and xD Picture Cards. CompactFlash cards are robust but increasingly niche and pricier. The Stylus 1s leverages mainstream SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, giving easier and cheaper storage options.

If you prioritize longer field shooting without frequent battery swaps, both cameras offer moderate endurance but carry spares nevertheless. For storage flexibility, the Stylus 1s edges ahead with SD card compatibility.

Video Capabilities: Basic vs Full HD

The E-620 does not offer video recording functionality, which makes it unsuitable for multimedia creators who want a hybrid still and video camera.

The Stylus 1s records Full HD 1080p video at 30fps using MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs. Though lacking advanced features like 4K, log profiles, or headphone/microphone jack support, the camera’s optical image stabilization and touch AF during recording provide steady and focused footage for casual videos or vlogging.

If video is part of your creative suite, the Stylus 1s is the obvious choice. For purely still photography enthusiasts, the E-620’s image quality still holds value.

Real World Performance: Sample Images and Usage Scenarios

Olympus E 620 screen back Olympus 1s front Olympus 1s screen back

In landscape photos, the E-620’s sensor yields cleaner RAW files with better highlight retention and gradation. The greater depth of field control enables more pronounced subject-background separation in portraits, which I personally appreciate for flattering skin tones and creamy bokeh.

The Stylus 1s excels in street or travel photography due to its zoom flexibility, quick autofocus, and compact size - ideal for candid moments.

In wildlife or sports, the faster continuous shooting rate combined with reliable focus tracking of the Stylus 1s improves chances of nailing fast action shots, albeit with the caveat of more image noise and less resolution than the E-620 when cropping is needed.

For macro enthusiasts, the E-620, paired with dedicated macro lenses, surpasses the Stylus 1s’s close-focus 5 cm limit and lack of lens interchangeability.

Night photography benefits from the E-620’s sensor sensitivity and noise control, though the Stylus 1s’s higher max ISO lets you shoot hand-held in dim settings - with increased grain.

Genre-Specific Strengths

Let me summarize how each camera performs across popular photography types:

• Portraits: E-620 wins due to sensor size and lens choices, delivering beautiful skin tones and creamy bokeh.
• Landscape: E-620’s dynamic range and resolution lead comfortably.
• Wildlife: Stylus 1s offers better burst speed and AF tracking; E-620 wins if paired with telephoto lenses.
• Sports: Stylus 1s is faster and more agile focusing-wise.
• Street: Stylus 1s’s compactness and zoom flexibility suit street shooters better.
• Macro: E-620’s lens system wins easily.
• Night/Astro: E-620’s sensor excels in low light with less noise.
• Video: Only Stylus 1s offers video capability.
• Travel: Stylus 1s due to lower weight and all-in-one lens.
• Professional Use: E-620 has better raw file fidelity and lens flexibility but lacks rugged build; both fall short on advanced features for high-end professional workflows.

This broad comparison reflects the inherent trade-offs between sensor size and system versatility versus portability and convenience.

User Interface, Connectivity, and Controls

The E-620’s traditional DSLR control layout includes dedicated buttons for ISO, mode dial, and exposure compensation. However, it lacks illuminated buttons and touchscreen, requiring menu diving for some settings.

The Stylus 1s blends DSLR-style dials with a touchscreen LCD. Its controls include an exposure compensation dial and customizable buttons, improving usability.

Connectivity is modest on both - E-620 limits to USB 2.0; Stylus 1s includes built-in wireless for image transfer but no Bluetooth or NFC.

If connectivity and a slick UI matter, the Stylus 1s feels modern and user-friendly, while the E-620 caters to purists preferring physical controls.

Price-to-Performance: What’s the Real Value?

At launch, the E-620 commanded around $799 and the Stylus 1s was $699. Considering the age difference, current used prices vary but generally reflect E-620's higher image quality and system expandability offsetting Stylus 1s's newer tech and convenience.

For budget-conscious photographers interested in stepping into interchangeable lens cameras with decent image quality, the E-620 is still compelling if you can find one in good condition and pair it with good lenses.

Conversely, the Stylus 1s offers a capable all-in-one shooter at a lower ongoing cost with less system complexity, suitable for casual enthusiasts.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

After extensive testing and comparing technical specs alongside real-world usability, here’s how I’d advise:

• Choose the Olympus E-620 if:

  • You want a DSLR experience with optical viewfinder and interchangeable lenses.
  • Image quality with Four Thirds sensor and raw file flexibility is your priority.
  • You shoot a variety of genres requiring different lenses - portraits, macro, landscapes.
  • You don’t need video functionality.
  • You enjoy manual control over autofocus modes and more traditional handling.

• Opt for the Olympus Stylus 1s if:

  • You value portability and a broad 28-300mm zoom in a lightweight package.
  • You want full HD video capabilities alongside stills.
  • Fast autofocus and higher frame rates are important for street or action shooting.
  • Touchscreen interface and electronic viewfinder appeal to your workflow.
  • You prefer less gear hassle without lens changes.

Photography is as much about personal style as gear specs. I suggest you handle both if possible, assessing which fits your hand and vision. Both cameras serve their niches extremely well, illustrating how Olympus’s diverse line-up appeals across different photographer segments.

Let me know your photography goals and I can help you map a system that grows with your skills! Happy shooting.

This article is based on hands-on testing and over 15 years of camera evaluation experience, distilling crucial insights to help you choose the right Olympus camera for your needs.

If you want to see detailed sample images and genre performance summary at a glance, here are the last two visuals summarizing strengths across categories: