Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony HX7V

Here is a thorough analysis of the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony HX7V, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and HX7V (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and HX7V (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was introduced 14 months before the HX7V which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX7V being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PL1 matches up vs the HX7V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery & Sony HX7V Gallery.

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys external 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 Sony HX7V has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony HX7V in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 vs the HX7V.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and HX7V is 86 and 92 respectively.

Oftentimes, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and HX7V.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony HX7V will deliver greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.