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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus E-PL1s, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are produced by Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-PL1s (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was manufactured 5 years after the E-PL1s which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M1 II grades vs the E-PL1s in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-PL1s

 E-M1 II E-PL1s 
IntroducedSeptember 2016November 2010Newer by 72 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-PL1s E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL1s

 E-M1 II E-PL1s 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II features external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1s has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus E-PL1s in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the E-PL1s.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and E-PL1s is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and E-PL1s.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-M1 II to show extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Portrait photography camera
75
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Street photography advice
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
lighter than average (574 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography advice
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
72
lighter than average (574 grams)
weather proof
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery power (350 shots)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (290 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography details
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (290 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1s
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone port
lighter than average (574 grams)
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-09-19 2010-11-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 290 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC
Storage slots Dual One
Price at launch $1,700 $599