Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony HX20V: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing your next camera can feel daunting with so many options, especially when comparing two very different models like the Olympus PEN E-PL1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. Both cameras were popular in their time but cater to distinct user needs and photographic styles. Drawing from hands-on testing and deep technical knowledge, we’ll walk you through everything - from sensor technology to ergonomics, real-world image quality to video capabilities, and beyond - to help you decide which one fits your creative journey.

First Impressions: Size, Layout, and Handling

How a camera feels in your hands significantly impacts your shooting experience. Let’s start by comparing the physical dimensions, body style, and control layout of these two models.

The Olympus E-PL1 has a traditional mirrorless camera build with a grip and more pronounced control dials. It feels substantial but remains portable and easy to carry around for travel or street photography. You get the benefit of interchangeable lenses and the ability to customize your setup.

On the other hand, the Sony HX20V is a compact all-in-one superzoom camera. Its smaller footprint and lighter weight make it more discreet and convenient for casual shooting and travel. However, its compact size means fewer physical controls which can slow manual adjustments when you want more direct control.

If you prioritize ergonomics and professional-style handling, the E-PL1 will suit you better. But if portability and simplicity are your focus, the Sony deserves consideration.

Design and Controls: Finding Your Shooting Workflow

Beyond size, the camera’s top control layout and button placement affect how quickly you can adjust settings on the fly. Here’s an overview:

The Olympus offers a dedicated mode dial with easy access to shutter priority, aperture priority, and full manual modes. This is critical when you want to shoot creatively with depth of field or exposure control. Exposure compensation is straightforward to dial in, and you have some customization options.

Sony’s HX20V lacks a traditional mode dial, and its manual exposure mode is basic without shutter or aperture priority. This reflects its compact “point-and-shoot” lineage where simplicity trumps fine-grained control. If you’re learning photography or prefer automated shooting, it works well, but pros or enthusiasts might find it limiting.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Image quality starts with the sensor. Let’s dive deep into specs and real-world performance.

The Olympus E-PL1 sports a significantly larger Four Thirds sensor, roughly eight times bigger in surface area than the Sony HX20V’s small 1/2.3” sensor. This translates into clear advantages:

• Low-light performance: Larger sensor collects more light with less noise. The E-PL1’s max native ISO of 3200 is balanced but yields cleaner images than the Sony at higher ISO.
• Dynamic range: Four Thirds CMOS delivers up to 10.1 stops (DxO data), preserving shadows and highlights better.
• Color depth: The Olympus scores 21.5 bits color depth, better for nuanced, vibrant skin tones and landscapes.

Although the Sony presents higher megapixels at 18MP, this doesn’t necessarily mean better image quality. Smaller pixels on a tiny sensor struggle with noise and limited dynamic range, especially beyond ISO 400-800. However, the Sony compensates somewhat with a backside-illuminated (“BSI”) sensor design, boosting performance over earlier compacts.

Since the Sony lacks RAW support, your post-processing flexibility is limited compared to Olympus’s RAW capabilities.

In practice: The E-PL1 produces cleaner, sharper, and more detailed images with better tonal gradation, especially in challenging lighting. The Sony HX20V is more of a “grab-and-go” camera favoring convenience with decent quality for smaller prints and web use.

Display and Interface: Your Window to Creativity

The rear LCD and user interface guide your framing, focus confirmation, and menu navigation.

The Sony's higher resolution and 3-inch screen provide a brighter and crisper live view, making it easier to review photos and confidently frame your shots. The TruBlack technology enhances viewing in bright conditions.

Olympus’s HyperCrystal LCD is smaller and visibly less sharp. It may cause strain when checking focus, especially for fine details, though the screen offers anti-reflective coating, reducing glare outdoors.

Neither camera supports touchscreen control or has a built-in viewfinder by default, which is a limitation for fast-paced shooting or bright environments.

Shooting Speed, Autofocus, and Burst Modes

How quickly a camera responds and tracks subjects is key for sports, wildlife, or spontaneous street photography.

At first glance, the Sony’s 10 fps burst outpaces the Olympus’s 3 fps. However, the smaller internal buffer and slower write speeds mean the HX20V may throttle quickly during longer bursts. The E-PL1’s slower yet consistent burst aligns with its more deliberate shooting style.

Autofocus in both cameras relies on contrast detection, less speedy than modern phase detection AF. Notably, Olympus includes 11 focus points versus Sony’s nine, but neither offers eye autofocus or animal eye detection.

In real-world use, both cameras perform adequately in daylight, with face detection helping portrait compositions. The Olympus autofocus is a bit more reliable due to better lens options and sensor resolution, while Sony’s compact design limits AF precision.

Lens Systems and Zoom Capabilities

One key difference: Olympus E-PL1 is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Sony HX20V is a fixed lens compact with an extraordinary superzoom.

Olympus E-PL1:

• Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds (MFT)
• Lens options: 107 lenses available (prime, zoom, specialty)
• Focal length multiplier: 2.1x (crop factor)
• Typical lens range: 12mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto and beyond with zooms
• Macro focus: Depends on lens used
• Image stabilization: Sensor-based IS for all lenses

Sony HX20V:

• Lens focal range: 25-500mm (20x optical zoom)
• Aperture: f/3.2-5.8 variable aperture
• Macro focus: Down to 1cm
• Image stabilization: Optical steady shot (lens-based)

The Olympus system offers unbeatable versatility. You can swap lenses for portraits, landscapes, macro, wildlife, street, and more. You’re not limited by a fixed zoom range. Olympus’s image stabilization inside the body benefits every lens, aiding low light and handheld shooting.

The Sony zoom is impressive for a compact - 500mm reach is ideal for wildlife or distant subjects. Its macro focusing to 1cm is great for close-up shots without accessories. However, smaller sensor limits depth-of-field control and image quality at long zoom telephoto ends.

If zoom reach and convenience in one package matter most, the Sony HX20V scores. For artistic freedom and professional-level glass, Olympus E-PL1 is the clear winner.

Flash, Low Light, and ISO Performance

Low-light capability is a frequent consideration across genres from event photography to astrophotography.

The Olympus’s larger sensor is the bigger factor in low light quality. While the Sony bumps ISO up to 12800, images at those values are noisy and soft. The Olympus provides a cleaner image up to about ISO 1600, with reasonable results at 3200 for snapshots.

Olympus’s bigger external flash compatibility lets you expand lighting options for portraits or events. The Sony lacks a hot shoe, limiting lighting creativity.

Both have image stabilization helping to reduce blur with slow shutter speeds - vital to handheld night shots or macro work.

Video Capabilities: A Look at Moving Images

Even if photography is your first love, video shooting options are a valid part of your creative toolkit.

Sony clearly excels here. The HX20V records full HD video at 60 fps, which provides smoother motion and better quality compared to the Olympus’s 720p limit at 30 fps. The AVCHD codec also yields more efficient compression.

Neither camera supports external microphones, limiting audio quality for serious videography.

If video is a key part of your workflow, the Sony is the stronger choice, providing higher resolution and frame rates.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera offers weather, dust, or shockproof sealing. Both cater to casual and enthusiast use rather than rugged professional environments.

Given their age and market segments, treat both cameras as delicate electronics requiring gentle care and protection under rough conditions.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

Sony takes a slight edge with built-in GPS, which is useful for travelers or outdoor photographers wanting to geotag images automatically. The Eye-Fi card compatibility adds Wi-Fi transfer capability, although not native.

Battery life is similar enough for full-day shooting with spare batteries advised.

Image Samples and Output Quality

To better assess how these two cameras handle colors, sharpness, and bokeh, here are representative images side-by-side:

Olympus E PL1 front Olympus E PL1 screen back Sony HX20V front Sony HX20V screen back

• The Olympus yields richer colors, smoother gradations, and better separation of the subject from the background due to sensor size and lens options.
• Sony images appear slightly more processed, with softer edges especially at full zoom. Noise is more apparent in shadows and low light.
• Both excel in daylight capture but Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor shines in nuanced portraits and landscapes.

Scoring Their Overall Strengths and Weaknesses

Based on extensive testing across technical specs, image quality, user experience, and versatility, here is a comparative scoring summary:

From this chart, the Olympus E-PL1 leads on image quality, lens flexibility, and control. The Sony HX20V shines in zoom reach, video, and portability.

Photography Genre-Specific Performance Analysis

Depending on which types of photography you pursue, each camera provides different practical benefits:

• Portraits: Olympus’s sensor size and lens options deliver superior skin tones, bokeh quality, and face detection.
• Landscape: Olympus wins with dynamic range and resolution; Sony’s lack of weather sealing limits outdoor rugged use.
• Wildlife: Sony’s 20x zoom and 10 fps burst make it a compact wildlife traveler’s choice, but Olympus’s lens variety means better telephoto options exist.
• Sports: Olympus struggles with a slower 3 fps frame rate; Sony’s 10 fps bursts aid capturing fast action but with focus limitations.
• Street: Sony’s smaller size lends better stealth and quick grab shooting; Olympus offers better control but is more noticeable.
• Macro: Olympus depends on lenses but benefits from better focusing precision and IS; Sony macro focus down to 1 cm is fun for casual close-ups.
• Night/Astro: Olympus’s larger sensor and IS outperform Sony’s compact sensor in low light.
• Video: Sony offers higher resolution, frame rates, and better codecs.
• Travel: Sony’s small size and GPS shine; Olympus’s versatility is a plus but bulkier.
• Professional Work: Olympus is better suited to serious workflows with RAW, better lenses, and more control.

Recommendations: Matching Your Needs and Budget

Choose Olympus E-PL1 if:

• You want a true compact mirrorless system with scope to grow your lens collection.
• Image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low light, is a top priority.
• You prefer manual exposure modes, RAW shooting, and fine creative control.
• You shoot still photography primarily and want a solid yet affordable camera.

Choose Sony HX20V if:

• You want an all-in-one compact with a power-packed 20x zoom for travel and wildlife.
• Video recording in full HD at 60fps matters to your content creation.
• Portability and GPS geotagging enhance your shooting experience.
• You prefer a point-and-shoot style camera that’s quick to grab for everyday use.
• You’re on a moderate budget and don’t require RAW or interchangeable lenses.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Try?

These two cameras cater to different user profiles - one emphasizing image quality and artistic flexibility (Olympus) and the other favoring convenience and zoom reach in a pocketable body (Sony).

Neither camera will compete with today’s latest mirrorless or compact offerings, but for enthusiasts exploring photography fundamentals or casual shooters valuing travel versatility, each has strong points.

We encourage you to get hands-on with both if possible. Feel how controls fit your shooting style, check image previews on screen, and consider what lens or zoom ranges you need. When paired with the right accessories - extra batteries, memory cards, and in the case of Olympus, a versatile zoom or prime lens - either camera can be a dependable creative companion.

Explore local camera stores or rental services to test their handling before purchase. Your evolving photographic journey deserves equipment that inspires and adapts to your style - and this comparison should help you take that next confident step.

Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison. If you found it helpful, check out detailed lens guides and photography technique tutorials tailored to these models. Happy shooting!