Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45


84 Imaging
59 Features
79 Overall
67
Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Olympus PEN-F. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Olympus PEN-F Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | May 2010 | More modern by 69 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL1 | Olympus 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 |