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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 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
  • Released May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Olympus. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and SP-100 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and SP-100 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the SP-100 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-PL1 grades versus the SP-100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus SP-100

 E-PL1 SP-100 

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Olympus E-PL1

 SP-100 E-PL1 
RevealedJanuary 2014May 2010Fresher by 45 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus SP-100

 E-PL1 SP-100 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Olympus SP-100 has measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") with a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1 versus the SP-100.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and SP-100 is 86 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by looking at technical specs. The visual below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and SP-100.

As you have seen, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus SP-100 will give more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography features
Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography features
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
44
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
42
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competitors in class (594g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Olympus SP-100
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery power (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
53
long zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (290 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
53
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (594g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SP-100 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery power (290 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging information
Olympus SP-100 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
29
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (594g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus SP-100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Olympus SP-100
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Olympus Stylus SP-100
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus Stylus SP-100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-05-17 2014-01-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.9-6.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 920k dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
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, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 594g (1.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 images 330 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $288 $400