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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Released January 2019
  • Earlier Model is 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
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both designed by Olympus. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1X was launched 8 years later than the E-PL1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M1X scores versus the E-PL1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-M1X E-PL1 
IntroducedJanuary 2019May 2010Fresher by 106 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-M1X

 E-PL1 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL1

 E-M1X E-PL1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1X enjoys outer dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M1X versus the E-PL1.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1X and E-PL1 is 54 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by viewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1X and E-PL1.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1X to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent E-M1X provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography advice
76
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1X
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
67
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competitors (997 grams)
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (870 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Travel photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography info
68
good battery pack (870 per charge)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (997 grams)
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (290 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography info
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
good battery pack (870 shots)
has double storage slots
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
low battery pack (290 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging information
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone port
more heavy than competitors (997 grams)
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus PEN E-PL1
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2019-01-24 2010-05-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Dual TruePic VIII Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor 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
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash settings 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)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max 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 Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 gr (2.20 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 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 870 pictures 290 pictures
Battery form Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media - SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail price $2,999 $288