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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
75
Overall
63
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 III
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 410g - 122 x 84 x 50mm
  • Revealed August 2017
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M10 II
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M10 IV
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
  • Released May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the E-M10 III (16MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-M10 III was introduced 7 years later than the E-PL1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-M10 III grades vs the E-PL1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-M10 III E-PL1 
ReleasedAugust 2017May 2010Fresher by 89 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-M10 III

 E-PL1 E-M10 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL1

 E-M10 III E-PL1 
Focus manually More exact focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M10 III has got external dimensions of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") along with a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and 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).

Examine the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M10 III against the E-PL1.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M10 III and E-PL1 is 80 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The visual here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M10 III and E-PL1.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M10 III to show greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more recent E-M10 III is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography advice
73
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
77
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than others in class (410g)
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography information
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
67
has touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
more heavy than others in class (410g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (290 shots)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
32
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (410 grams)
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2017-08-31 2010-05-17
Physical type 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
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 support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 410 grams (0.90 lb) 334 grams (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 487
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 290 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-50 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Price at release $650 $288