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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Launched February 2020
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus E-PL1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was unveiled 9 years later than the E-PL1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-M1 III matches up vs the E-PL1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-M1 III E-PL1 
IntroducedFebruary 2020May 2010Fresher by 119 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-PL1 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL1

 E-M1 III E-PL1 
Manually focus More exact focus

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III provides outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1 has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus E-PL1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 III against the E-PL1.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and E-PL1 is 67 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 III and E-PL1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M1 III to offer you extra detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 III should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography features
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
good resolution (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone support
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL1
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2020-02-11 2010-05-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic IX 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 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen 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
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash modes 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580g (1.28 lb) 334g (0.74 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" 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 not tested 54
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 487
Other
Battery life 420 images 290 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 2 Single
Launch pricing $1,800 $288