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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Released January 2016
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus PEN-F, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and PEN-F (20MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 6 years before the PEN-F which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PL1 scores versus the PEN-F for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus PEN-F

 E-PL1 PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-PL1

 PEN-F E-PL1 
ReleasedJanuary 2016May 2010More modern by 69 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus PEN-F

 E-PL1 PEN-F 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 comes with outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Olympus PEN-F has measurements of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") and a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus PEN-F in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL1 against the PEN-F.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and PEN-F is 86 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The image below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and PEN-F.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Olympus PEN-F to result in greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography info
Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
75
you can focus manually
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography factors
Olympus PEN-F Street photography factors
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
84
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
Olympus PEN-F Sports photography features
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
low battery life (330 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
Olympus PEN-F Travel photography features
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (290 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
75
has touch focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
low battery life (330 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
78
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus PEN-F
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Olympus PEN-F
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus PEN-F
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2010-05-17 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 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 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 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.62x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 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)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 427 gr (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 74
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 23.1
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 12.4
DXO Low light score 487 894
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 330 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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 One One
Price at release $288 $1,000