Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1
86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
44


90 Imaging
62 Features
48 Overall
56
Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Introduced July 2009
- Successor is Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 16000
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
- Revealed September 2014

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Overview
The following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the image resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and QX1 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

The E-P1 was released 6 years before the QX1 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.
Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-P1 matches up vs the QX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-P1 & Sony Alpha QX1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-P1 Gallery & Sony QX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Sony QX1
E-P1 | QX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+3") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 0k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus E-P1
QX1 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2014 | ![]() | July 2009 | Newer by 62 months |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Sony QX1
E-P1 | QX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P1 features outer measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Sony QX1 has dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") and a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-P1 compared to the QX1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and QX1 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P1 and QX1.
As you have seen, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-P1 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony QX1 will give you extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-P1 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Sony QX1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-P1 | Sony Alpha QX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Sony Alpha QX1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Lens-style |
Introduced | 2009-07-29 | 2014-09-03 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic V | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.2 x 15.4mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 357.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5456 x 3632 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 16000 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.6 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | - |
Screen resolution | 230k dot | 0k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/180 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 355 gr (0.78 lbs) | 216 gr (0.48 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.4 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 536 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 images | 440 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-1 | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $182 | $500 |