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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and QX1 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was brought out 5 years prior to the QX1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-PL1 scores vs the QX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony QX1

 E-PL1 QX1 
Screen dimension2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 QX1 E-PL1 
LaunchedSeptember 2014May 2010More modern by 52 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony QX1

 E-PL1 QX1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Sony QX1 has proportions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the E-PL1 and the QX1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and QX1 is 86 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by viewing a spec sheet. The image below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and QX1.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Sony QX1 will render extra detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Sony QX1 Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
66
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Sony QX1 Street photography info
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (216 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery life (290 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (440 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Sony QX1
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low battery life (290 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery pack (440 shots)
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (216g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
Sony QX1 Landscape photography factors
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
64
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (440 shots)
small screen ( inch)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
Sony QX1 Vlogging features
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
32
touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no microphone socket
more heavy than competition (216 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony QX1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony Alpha QX1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Lens-style
Launched 2010-05-17 2014-09-03
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches -
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 0 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 216g (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos 440 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots One One
Price at release $288 $500