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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Later Model is Olympus E-P2
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Introduced January 2016
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are designed by Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and PEN-F (20MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-P1 was released 7 years earlier than the PEN-F and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-P1 grades versus the PEN-F with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus PEN-F

 E-P1 PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-P1

 PEN-F E-P1 
IntroducedJanuary 2016July 2009Fresher by 79 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus PEN-F

 E-P1 PEN-F 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-P1 has exterior measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Olympus PEN-F has specifications of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-P1 against the PEN-F.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and PEN-F is 86 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P1 and PEN-F.

Clearly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus PEN-F to result in extra detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older E-P1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
75
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
84
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
Sports photography with Olympus PEN-F
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
low battery pack (330 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Travel photography camera
43
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
75
provides touch to focus
good MP (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (330 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging info
Olympus PEN-F Vlogging info
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
78
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Olympus PEN-F
 Olympus PEN E-P1Olympus PEN-F
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN-F
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2009-07-29 2016-01-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.62x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lb) 427 grams (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 74
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 12.4
DXO Low light rating 536 894
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 330 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $182 $1,000