Olympus E-PL1 vs. Olympus SH-50: A Hands-On Comparison from a Seasoned Camera Tester

Over more than 15 years testing, shooting, and dissecting cameras of all shapes and sizes, I've gathered plenty of experience spotting the subtle - and not-so-subtle - differences that matter to photographers. Today, we're diving into a matchup that might seem unusual at first glance: the Olympus E-PL1, a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless entry-level camera from 2010, versus the Olympus SH-50, a compact fixed-lens superzoom from 2013.

Why this comparison? Despite sharing an Olympus badge, these two cameras serve notably different photography styles and users. Understanding their strengths and compromises will help you figure out which fits your needs - especially if you’re budget-conscious or looking to dip your toes into interchangeable-lens or superzoom territory.

I personally tested both extensively in the field, paying attention to their guts (sensor tech, autofocus, etc.), handling, and imaging results in demanding situations. Ready? Let’s start with the basics.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

Handling often makes or breaks enjoyment, and these two couldn't be more different in design philosophy.

The Olympus E-PL1 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera built around the Micro Four Thirds system. It features a classic rectangular shape and a top plate peppered with control dials and buttons - a little vintage flair but still quite manageable. Weighing 334g and measuring about 115x72x42 mm, it feels substantial yet portable.

On the other hand, the Olympus SH-50 is a compact fixed-lens camera designed for travel and versatility. It's smaller and lighter at 269g and 112x63x42 mm but trades off some grip stability due to its slimmer profile.

In regular use, the E-PL1’s slightly chunkier body provides better handling, especially for those like me who prefer a firm grip. The SH-50’s compactness makes it easy to slip into a jacket pocket, but extended shooting sessions can feel a bit cramped if you have larger hands or need quick access to controls.

The SH-50’s lens barrel extends and retracts as you zoom (more on that later), which adds movement but doesn’t feel unwieldy. For street photographers or travelers who prize discretion, this smaller footprint could be a real plus.

Ergonomic Highlights:

• E-PL1: More tactile buttons, dedicated exposure modes (shutter/aperture priority), and manual exposure - clubs for thumbs if you like creative control.
• SH-50: Touchscreen interface (rare for cameras released around this period) offers intuitive zoom and focus adjustments - helpful for beginners, but some serious shooters prefer physical dials.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of any camera’s image-making ability lies the sensor - and here, the divide is stark.

The E-PL1 houses a Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (224.9 mm²) with a resolution of 12 megapixels. For the 2010 release date, this sensor size offered a much better baseline for image quality than typical compact cameras. It has an anti-aliasing filter to guard against moiré and uses a TruePic V image processor.

Conversely, the SH-50 sports a significantly smaller 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor at 6.17 x 4.55 mm (28.07 mm²), though with a higher 16MP resolution. The processing engine is an upgraded TruePic VI.

What does that mean in real-world terms?

• Larger sensor area on the E-PL1 translates to better dynamic range, superior color depth, and notably improved low-light performance.
• SH-50’s sensor is optimized for compactness and zoom capability, but it inherently struggles with noise and detail in challenging lighting.

I pushed both cameras through a battery of ISO sensitivity tests and raw processing workflows. The E-PL1 excelled at ISOs up to 800 with clean shadows and rich colors, thanks to its Four Thirds advantages. Beyond ISO 1600, noise became more noticeable but manageable with editing.

The SH-50, while capable of ISO 6400, revealed significant grain and color degradation above ISO 400, not surprising for a tiny sensor capturing a 24x zoom’s worth of light. The default JPEG processing attempts noise reduction - but at a cost to fine detail.

Key takeaways:

• If image quality and tweaking in post are your priorities, the E-PL1’s sensor is vouched-for and proven.
• The SH-50 targets convenient zoom and flexibility over pure picture quality, acceptable for casual use and social sharing.

Viewfinding and Display: Framing the Moment

Neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder, which might disappoint photographers who prefer eye-level framing to LCD screens.

• The Olympus E-PL1 supports an optional external electronic viewfinder, which enthusiasts can attach for better composition prospects.
• The SH-50 relies solely on a fixed 3.0-inch touchscreen LCD with 460k-dot resolution, bright and sharp for its class.

The E-PL1’s HyperCrystal LCD technology with anti-reflective coating helps visibility in sunlight, but its 2.7-inch size and 230k-dot resolution feel dated by today’s standards.

On the interface side, the SH-50’s touchscreen capability enables pinch zooming, gestures, and quick menu access - quite forward-thinking for 2013. The E-PL1 sticks to conventional tactile buttons which some pros prefer to keep eyes on the subject.

Lens Systems and Zoom Prowess

The E-PL1, being a mirrorless with Micro Four Thirds mount, boasts a superb lens ecosystem - over one hundred lenses spanning primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics. This modularity means you can tailor the camera’s capabilities to nearly any genre, from portraits to wildlife.

The SH-50, on the other hand, has a fixed 25-600mm (24x zoom) lens with a variable aperture range of f/3.0-6.9. This covers everything from wide landscapes to distant subjects without lens swapping, a great convenience for travel or all-in-one use.

For macro lovers, the SH-50 allows focusing as close as 5cm, making it a decent compact option for casual flower or insect shots.

In my tests, the Olympus E-PL1 combined with fast prime lenses delivered creamy bokeh and sharp details - especially important for portraits. The SH-50’s zoom versatility meant you could instinctively reframe without breaking stride, which is hard to beat on a hike or urban stroll.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching Action and Moments

Fast and accurate autofocus helps in genres like sports, wildlife, and street photography.

The E-PL1 utilizes contrast-detection AF across 11 focus points with face detection and single, continuous, and tracking modes. Though lacking phase-detection pixels, the system works smoothly in decent light but slows down in dim environments.

The SH-50 has a contrast-detect touch-enabled AF, with face detection and center- or multi-area options. It can shoot bursts up to 12 fps (quite high!) but only with single AF between shots, which limits its tracking capability for moving subjects.

Olympus E PL1 front Olympus E PL1 screen back Olympus SH 50 front Olympus SH 50 screen back

In practical use, I found the E-PL1 more dependable for capturing sharp portraits and medium-paced action, despite its slower max burst rate of 3 fps. The SH-50’s burst speed is impressive, but focus hunting meant many shots were soft in dynamic situations.

Special Features Worth Highlighting

• Image Stabilization: E-PL1 features sensor-shift stabilization, helping handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds; very helpful for macros and low light. The SH-50 uses optical lens-shift stabilization but isn’t as effective at longer telephoto ranges.
• Video Capabilities: SH-50 records Full HD 1080p at 60fps - a strong point compared to the E-PL1’s max 720p video at 30fps. If you want smooth HD movies without extra gear, SH-50 has the edge.
• Connectivity: Built-in wireless on the SH-50 facilitates easy sharing, while the E-PL1 has none, necessitating manual transfers.
• Battery Life: Officially, the E-PL1 (with BLS-1 battery) lasts about 290 shots per charge; SH-50’s battery ratings are unspecified but its compact size suggests more modest stamina.

Performance Across Photography Disciplines

To paint a clearer picture on who should pick which camera, I ran the Olympus E-PL1 and SH-50 through typical use-case scenarios covering the big photography bases.

1. Portraits

E-PL1’s larger sensor and interchangeable lens options deliver better skin tones, more natural bokeh, and eye detection autofocus aiding sharp focus on faces. The bigger body also helps with comfortable holding during multi-shot sessions.

The SH-50 handles portraits sufficiently for social media but suffers visible softness and less pleasing background separation due to smaller sensor and slower lens.

Verdict: E-PL1 wins by a mile for serious portrait work.

2. Landscape

Resolution and dynamic range are critical. The E-PL1’s moderate 12MP sensor with good DR lets you capture rich details in shadows and highlights. Plus, rugged lenses with weather sealing (depending on lens) provide flexibility when shooting outdoors.

The SH-50’s compactness is great for travel hikes, though its small sensor compromises post-processing latitude and fine detail.

Verdict: E-PL1 preferred for image quality; SH-50 better for light travel.

3. Wildlife

Zoom reach usually dictates success. SH-50’s 600mm equivalent zoom lens is attractive for wildlife photographers on a budget or in urban settings with shy critters. However, autofocus speed and accuracy - especially continuous tracking - is limited.

E-PL1 paired with a long telephoto lens provides better AF reliability and image quality but demands more upfront investment and weight.

Verdict: SH-50 is a competent pocket-friendly zoom; E-PL1/lenses better for serious telephoto use.

4. Sports

Fast frame rates and tracking AF are critical. The SH-50's 12 fps burst is tempting but hampered by single AF mode. E-PL1 has better tracking AF but only 3 fps.

Neither excels as a sports camera, but among the two, E-PL1 leads in autofocus sophistication.

5. Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and quick handling matter. The SH-50’s small footprint and silent zoom appeal here, but the E-PL1’s manual controls and higher quality images make for a more versatile street shooter if a slightly bigger body is acceptable.

6. Macro

SH-50’s 5cm close-focus ability is accessible but limited by lens sharpness and sensor size. E-PL1 combined with dedicated macro lenses shines with precise manual focus and stabilization.

7. Night and Astro

Low noise and wide apertures are key. E-PL1 holds the advantage here with its larger sensor and stabilizer, enabling longer exposures and cleaner high ISO shots. SH-50’s little sensor struggles with noise, making it less suitable for astro work beyond snapshots.

8. Video

SH-50 supports 1080p 60fps video and slow motion FPS modes (240-480fps in low res), catering to casual videographers. E-PL1 only does 720p at 30fps in Motion JPEG - dated and limited.

If video is important, SH-50’s capabilities are more modern.

9. Travel

SH-50’s all-in-one zoom lens and compactness make packing easy. E-PL1’s flexibility comes with extra lenses and batteries, which adds weight but delivers better image quality and creative options.

10. Professional Use

Neither camera is a professional workhorse by today’s standards. E-PL1 supports RAW shooting allowing post-process workflow integration, making it more suitable for pros and enthusiasts. SH-50 shoots only JPEG, limiting professional retouching potential.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness geared toward extreme conditions. Both are best kept dry and safe.

Battery and Connectivity in the Real World

To stay practical, your shooting style dictates battery awareness.

• E-PL1’s 290 shots per charge is average; carry spares for extended trips.
• SH-50 doesn’t specify official battery life, but small compacts typically yield 200-300 shots.
• Connectivity on SH-50 is better with built-in wireless for quick transfers; E-PL1 lacks wireless, depending on USB 2.0 cable.

Price and Value Perspective

At the prices around $288 (E-PL1) and $300 (SH-50), both cameras represent modest entries into their respective categories.

• The E-PL1’s value lies in its interchangeable lens system, superior sensor, and creative control - good for aspirational users who want to grow skills.
• The SH-50 delivers as a travel-friendly zoom with respectable video capture and touchscreen ease, appealing to casual shooters who want all-in-one convenience.

Pros and Cons in a Nutshell

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus Fits Your Photography Life?

Having taken these cameras on dozens of shoots, I can’t stress enough that the decision boils down to what you value most.

• If your priority is image quality, artistic control, and stepping into the interchangeable lens world, the Olympus E-PL1 earns my recommendation hands-down. Despite its older sensor and modest video, it remains a solid gateway into serious photography for under $300. It rewards patience and creativity with pleasing images and manual versatility. Just pack an extra battery or two.

• If you want an affordable, pocketable all-weather-ready companion with remarkable zoom reach and strong video features, the Olympus SH-50 shines. It’s perfect for travel, family vacations, or those who want DSLR-like zoom without changing lenses. The trade-off is you sacrifice sensor quality and manual control.

Ultimately, as someone who’s tested cameras across all price segments, I encourage you to consider the long-term flexibility and creative growth you desire. If you later find yourself yearning for faster autofocus and better low-light or video, investing in mirrorless with lenses like the E-PL1’s system pays dividends.

But if you just want a straightforward, grab-and-go camera to snap sharp wide-to-tele shots and Full HD video for social sharing, the SH-50 is a capable pick.

In a photography gear world crowded with options, having clarity about your shooting style and lineup needs is priceless. Hopefully, this side-by-side comparison demystifies these two Olympus models and aids your next step - whether upgrading, starting fresh, or just satisfying curious gadget cravings.

Happy shooting!