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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 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
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Launched January 2013
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and XS1 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was announced 3 years prior to the XS1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1 scores against the XS1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic XS1

 E-PL1 XS1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 XS1 E-PL1 
LaunchedJanuary 2013May 2010Newer by 32 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic XS1

 E-PL1 XS1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 features physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Panasonic XS1 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL1 vs the XS1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and XS1 is 86 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading specifications. The pic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and XS1.

Plainly, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic XS1 will offer you extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
30
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
Panasonic XS1 Street photography information
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (103g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography information
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition (103g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
39
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging info
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging info
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
31
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (103 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-05-17 2013-01-07
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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 103g (0.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $288 $130