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Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2010
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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL2
Photography Glossary

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Below is a extended review of the Olympus FE-4030 and Olympus E-PL1s, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. The resolution of the FE-4030 (14MP) and the E-PL1s (12MP) is fairly close but the FE-4030 (1/2.3") and E-PL1s (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The FE-4030 was unveiled 10 months before the E-PL1s so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus FE-4030 being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FE-4030 grades vs the E-PL1s with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4030 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 FE-4030 E-PL1s 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus FE-4030

 E-PL1s FE-4030 
LaunchedNovember 2010January 2010More recent by 10 months
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Olympus FE-4030 and Olympus E-PL1s

 FE-4030 E-PL1s 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus FE-4030 enjoys outside dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1s 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).

Take a look at the Olympus FE-4030 and Olympus E-PL1s in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the FE-4030 and the E-PL1s.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FE-4030 and E-PL1s is 95 and 86 respectively.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements only by researching specs. The graphic below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-4030 and E-PL1s.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FE-4030 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus FE-4030 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The older FE-4030 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography information
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1s Street photography highlights
48
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Sports photography camera
34
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-4030
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
65
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography advice
32
really wide (26mm)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging information
25
really wide (26mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.6)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic support
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus FE-4030Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus FE-4030 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-01-07 2010-11-16
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Truepic V
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 26-105mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 m 10.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG 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 146g (0.32 lb) 334g (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 290 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $130 $599