Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus XZ-10

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus XZ-10, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the XZ-10 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and XZ-10 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-P1 was introduced 4 years earlier than the XZ-10 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-10 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-P1 scores versus the XZ-10 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-P1 and Olympus Stylus XZ-10. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-P1 Gallery and Olympus XZ-10 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P1 features external measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-10 has sizing of 102mm x 61mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus XZ-10 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P1 and the XZ-10.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and XZ-10 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Usually, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at technical specs. The graphic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P1 and XZ-10.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-P1 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult. The older E-P1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.