Olympus PEN E-P1 vs Sony RX100 VII: A Decade-Long Camera Face-Off

When traversing the ever-evolving landscape of digital cameras, it’s not uncommon to pit an old classic against a shining modern marvel. Today, I’m pairing up the decade-old Olympus PEN E-P1 with the agile Sony RX100 VII - two very different beasts spanning different eras and philosophies in camera design. One is a pioneering mirrorless entry from 2009, while the other is a powerhouse compact from 2019. Both promise quality and versatility, but who truly earns their keep in today’s fast-paced photo world?

Having personally handled thousands of cameras over my 15+ years testing, I relish this sort of juicy comparison. Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive deep into design, tech specs, real-world shooting, and value - so you can decide whether vintage charm or compact power best suits your craft.

First Impressions: Size, Feel, and Handling

When you pick up the Olympus E-P1, you’re holding a pioneering Micro Four Thirds rangefinder-style mirrorless camera - one of the very first to introduce the system that many now swear by. It feels like a neat, compact device, styled with classic simplicity in mind but weighing in at 355 grams - not exactly featherweight nowadays.

The Sony RX100 VII is a marvel of miniaturization and engineering. This large sensor compact packs an impressive zoom lens and a sophisticated autofocus system into a box that’s lighter than the E-P1 at 302 grams and significantly smaller. The RX100 VII’s dimensions (102x58x43mm) make it pocket-friendly, while the PEN E-P1’s 121x70x36 mm puts it squarely in camera bag territory.

You can see the physical size difference here, which often influences how and where you shoot:

Ergonomically, the Olympus sports a rangefinder-style grip but lacks an electronic viewfinder or touchscreen, leaning heavily on traditional manual controls. The Sony packs a pop-up electronic viewfinder and a tilting touchscreen, hinting at more modern UI convenience.

Comparing the top plates gives you a closer look at their control layouts:

The E-P1’s controls are straightforward but sparse, with no illuminated buttons or extensive customization. Sony’s RX100 VII offers more: integrating touch-sensitive focus, faster operation dials, and a versatile mode dial. Both cameras require some adaptation, but the RX100 VII’s hands-on feel aligns well with its tech-forward ambitions.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Arguably the fulcrum of camera value today is sensor performance. The Olympus E-P1 houses a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm (about 224.9 mm² area) with 12 megapixels. Back in 2009, this was cutting-edge for mirrorless cameras. The sensor has an antialias filter, and the processor is Olympus’s TruePic V. Maximum ISO tops out at 6400, but realistically, image quality starts to degrade significantly beyond ISO 1600.

The Sony RX100 VII sports a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor sized at 13.2x8.8 mm (116.2 mm²), nearly half the area of the E-P1’s sensor but packs 20 megapixels with a backside-illuminated architecture for improved low-light sensitivity. Its maximum native ISO is 12800, expandable down to ISO 64, and with modern noise reduction, it’s impressive how well it holds up.

Here’s a sensor size and resolution comparison to visually appreciate their differences:

In raw imaging tests, the Olympus’s larger sensor area enables moderately better dynamic range (10.4 EV vs Sony’s 12.4 EV - so the Sony actually edges out here thanks to improved sensor tech), somewhat deeper color depth (21.4 bits vs 21.8 bits), and an overall DxOMark score reflecting balanced performance in its era. The Sony delivers higher resolution and better color fidelity for its size, benefiting from a decade's technological leap.

Real-World Takeaway: Olympus’s larger sensor footprint yields solid image quality for landscapes and portraits when paired with high-quality lenses, particularly at moderate ISOs. Sony’s RX100 VII produces cleaner, sharper images, especially in low light - all from a compact fixed lens, pushing the boundaries of pocket cameras.

Autofocus and Lens Versatility: Playing Different Games

Autofocus technology in 2009 was a far cry from today’s lightning-fast systems, and the E-P1’s contrast detection ASF setup reflects that. It offers 11 focus points, face detection, and live view focusing but lacks advanced tracking, eye AF, or animal AF features. Continuous autofocus is present, but focus tracking is non-existent.

Sony’s RX100 VII, by contrast, boasts a hybrid AF system with 357 phase detection points and 425 contrast detection points, covering about 68% of the frame. Eye autofocus (human and animal) works exceptionally well in real-world shooting, enabling precise portraits or quick wildlife snaps. Continuous AF tracking is smooth and reliable, ideal for moving subjects.

Neither camera has interchangeable lenses on the RX100 VII (fixed 24–200mm F2.8-4.5 zoom), while the Olympus uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, unlocking access to over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers, ranging from fast primes to versatile zooms. This flexibility is a massive plus for those committed to system expansion.

For wildlife and sports photographers, burst speeds matter: 3 fps on the E-P1 vs a staggering 20 fps on the RX100 VII. That speed disparity alone can capture decisive moments the old Olympus simply can’t.

Display and Viewfinder: What You See Is What You Shoot

The E-P1 comes with a 3-inch fixed HyperCrystal LCD with anti-reflective coating but only 230k-dot resolution - low by today’s standards. No touchscreen and no built-in viewfinder mean you compose via the LCD, which can be tricky in bright outdoor conditions.

The RX100 VII’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen has a sharp 921k-dot resolution and supports touch autofocus and menu interactions - a boon for quick adjustments and selfies. Its pop-up electronic viewfinder (EVF) offers 2.36 million dots and 100% coverage, with 0.59x magnification, making it a joy for composing shots in bright light or fast-action scenarios.

I remember shooting street portraits in harsh midday sun with the E-P1 - squinting at the low-res screen - versus the RX100 VII, where the EVF and touch interface made frame composition and focus snap-to-point far less frustrating. The back screens tell part of this story:

Real-World Performance Across Photography Styles

Now, rolling up the sleeves to actual photography disciplines - because specs alone don’t make the photographer.

Portraiture

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor, coupled with quality primes, can deliver natural skin tones and beautifully smooth bokeh, especially on bright apertures like f/1.8 lenses. Autofocus with face detection is basic but usable. No eye AF means manual focus finesse often comes into play.

Sony’s RX100 VII, despite its smaller sensor, benefits from effective eye and animal eye AF, making it a swift portrait tool in any setting. The 24-200mm zoom offers flexible framing, although bokeh separation isn’t quite as creamy as prime lenses on the Olympus system.

Landscape

Here, sensor size and dynamic range shine. The Olympus’s 12MP with 10.4 EV DR is respectable, but the RX100 VII’s 20MP sensor wins with superior dynamic range (12.4 EV), revealing more detail in shadows and highlights. Weather sealing is absent on both, but the Olympus’s larger sensor and lens selections grant an edge in image quality when mounted on a sturdy tripod.

For landscape shooters, detail matters - and both cameras can deliver sharp RAW files. The RX100 VII’s versatility and resolution make it a solid all-in-one, especially for travel landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports

Burst speed and autofocus accuracy here make the RX100 VII stand tall. Its 20 fps burst and excellent AF tracking are unmatched by the older E-P1’s 3 fps max and basic AF system. Although neither camera has pro-grade weather sealing or ruggedness, the RX’s telephoto zoom matches up well for casual wildlife shots.

Street Photography

Compactness and discretion favor the RX100 VII hands-down. Its pocketable size, quiet shutter, tilting screen, and EVF help capture candid street moments without fuss. The Olympus’s larger size and slower AF would be a hindrance for discreet shooting.

Macro

While neither camera is a macro specialist, the RX100 VII’s minimum focus distance of 8cm allows surprisingly close shots without additional accessories, aided by optical stabilization. Olympus users can utilize sharp Micro Four Thirds macro lenses with manual focusing precision but bear the need to carry lenses.

Night and Astro Photography

In low light, the RX100 VII’s newer BSI sensor and high native ISO range (up to 12800) shine. Its superior noise control and effective image stabilization make it possible to push into dimmer scenarios. The Olympus struggles somewhat at high ISOs, its older sensor technology showing noise early.

Video Capabilities

Olympus offers 720p HD at 30 fps with Motion JPEG - a nice feature in 2009, but seriously outdated now. Sony equips the RX100 VII with 4K UHD recording at 30 fps, superior codecs like XAVC S, and microphone input for external audio - perfect for vloggers and casual videographers.

Travel Photography

The RX100 VII’s size, zoom range, modern touch interface, and excellent autofocus combine for nimble travel capture. Olympus’s interchangeable lens system means carrying extra gear, but for those wanting creative control and lens variety, it shines.

Professional Use

The Olympus E-P1’s RAW support and manual controls are decent; still, lack of weather sealing and limited AF tracking make it a less robust choice for pro work. The RX100 VII offers higher resolution, better video, and advanced AF but cannot replace a full system camera for demanding pro needs.

Build Quality and Durability: Then vs Now

Neither camera boasts weather sealing or extreme shock resistance. Olympus’s 2009 design uses a solid metal body, exuding retro charm but lacking modern durability coatings. Sony’s RX100 VII employs a sturdy chassis optimized for pocketability but still leaves gaps for rough usage.

Battery Life and Storage

Olympus uses the BLS-1 battery offering roughly 300 shots per charge. | Sony’s NP-BX1 battery yields around 260 shots. Both are typical for mirrorless and compact cameras but require carrying spares for extended shooting days.

Storage-wise, Olympus supports SD/SDHC cards; Sony adds compatibility with SDXC and Memory Stick Pro Duo. Both have single card slots.

Connectivity and Extras

Olympus E-P1 is a clean slate with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS - standard for its era. Sony RX100 VII embraces built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC for easy wireless transfers, and even includes timelapse recording.

Price and Value Today

The Olympus E-P1 is available secondhand around $180, an entry-level bargain for those intrigued by classic mirrorless design, manual controls, and lens flexibility.

Sony RX100 VII carries a hefty $1300 price, justified by its advanced features, compact size, zoom versatility, and all-around performance leap.

Summary of Performance and Scores

Here is a consolidated performance rating visualization, weighted on imaging, autofocus, video, and usability metrics:

Drilling into genre-specific strengths:

Real-World Image Samples

Below, side-by-side sample images from both cameras highlight color science, detail, and dynamic range differences:

Olympus E P1 front Olympus E P1 screen back Sony RX100 VII front Sony RX100 VII screen back

These illustrate how Olympus’s color rendition is warm and slightly vintage, while Sony delivers crisp, modern punch.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Olympus PEN E-P1 if:

• You love the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem and want to explore manual controls and lenses.
• You enjoy classic camera styling and a tactile shooting experience.
• Your budget is tight, and you prefer starting with inexpensive system cameras.
• Portrait and landscape photography at moderate ISO is your focus.
• Video and autofocus speed are lower priorities.

Buy the Sony RX100 VII if:

• You want a pocket-sized camera with all-day shooting versatility.
• Fast, reliable autofocus including eye detection is crucial.
• You shoot frequently in low light or action scenarios.
• 4K video recording and modern connectivity are important.
• Travel, street, wildlife photography demand a compact powerhouse.

Closing Reflections

In many ways, comparing these cameras is like contrasting a classic vinyl record player and a state-of-the-art streaming system - both deliver the essential experience of music, but your preferences, budget, and lifestyle will steer your choice. The Olympus PEN E-P1 was a trailblazer that laid groundwork for mirrorless cameras today, while the Sony RX100 VII embodies ten years of innovation squeezing impressive performance into a pocket.

Your choice boils down to what combination of aesthetics, control, and tech you prefer. Owning and shooting with both can teach you volumes about how camera tech and design evolved - but for the modern enthusiast or professional, the RX100 VII is a compact dynamo that punches well above its tiny size. However, the charm, lens versatility, and manual feel of the E-P1 still holds nostalgic and practical value, especially for those who like modular creativity.

Happy shooting, whichever path you choose!