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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Olympus Stylus 550WP front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Olympus 550WP
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 38-114mm (F3.5-5.0) lens
  • 167g - 94 x 62 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Additionally Known as mju 550WP
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Olympus 550WP, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the 550WP (10MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and 550WP (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 17 months later than the 550WP which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-PL1 grades against the 550WP in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus 550WP

 E-PL1 550WP 
LaunchedMay 2010January 2009Fresher by 17 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Olympus 550WP over the Olympus E-PL1

 550WP E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus 550WP

 E-PL1 550WP 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 offers exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Olympus 550WP has dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 versus Olympus 550WP in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1 and the 550WP.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and 550WP is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and 550WP.

As you can see, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL1 will offer you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-PL1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus 550WP Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
Olympus 550WP Street photography features
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
61
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Olympus 550WP
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
Olympus 550WP Travel photography features
51
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery life (290 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
environment proof
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
Olympus 550WP Landscape photography factors
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
missing Timelapse function
30
built in image stabilization (Digital)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
Olympus 550WP Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
25
built in image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic support
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus 550WP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus 550WP
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Olympus Stylus 550WP
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus Stylus 550WP
Alternate name - mju 550WP
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-05-17 2009-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 38-114mm (3.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.0
Macro focusing range - 7cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
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) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 62 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $288 $399