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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1s 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL1s, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Olympus. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PL1s (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was launched 9 years after the E-PL1s which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 III grades versus the E-PL1s in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 E-M1 III E-PL1s 
RevealedFebruary 2020November 2010Newer by 113 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 E-PL1s E-M1 III 

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

 E-M1 III E-PL1s 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

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

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III comes with external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1s has proportions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL1s in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 III compared to the E-PL1s.

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

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and E-PL1s is 67 and 86 respectively.

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

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

Usually, its hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and E-PL1s.

All in all, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1 III to produce extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography advice
77
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography information
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL1s as a Travel photography camera
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
good MP (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging highlights
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic support
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL1s
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2020-02-11 2010-11-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lbs) 334 grams (0.74 lbs)
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 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 420 shots 290 shots
Battery form 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 recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC
Storage slots Two Single
Launch pricing $1,800 $599