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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 front
Portability
92
Imaging
50
Features
44
Overall
47

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 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
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
Sony QX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • " Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 179g - 63 x 63 x 56mm
  • Released September 2013
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL1 versus Sony QX100, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Lens-style by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and QX100 (20MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and QX100 (1") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was introduced 4 years earlier than the QX100 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-PL1 matches up vs the QX100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony QX100

 E-PL1 QX100 
Display dimension2.7""Larger display (+2.7")
Display resolution230k0kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Olympus E-PL1

 QX100 E-PL1 
ReleasedSeptember 2013May 2010Newer by 40 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony QX100

 E-PL1 QX100 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 comes with outer 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 Sony QX100 has measurements of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") along with a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 versus Sony QX100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 against the QX100.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and QX100 is 86 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and QX100.

As you can tell, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 with its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Sony QX100 will deliver greater detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Sony QX100
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
52
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
provides face detect focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Sony QX100 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
71
has image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
offers focus by touch
screen does not articulate
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX100 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Sony QX100
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (290 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
69
offers focus by touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
relatively wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony QX100 Landscape photography highlights
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
54
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
tiny screen ( inch)
manual exposure not available
lacks RAW support
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
Sony QX100 Vlogging details
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
38
relatively wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony QX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony QX100
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Lens-style
Released 2010-05-17 2013-09-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch -
Display resolution 230k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating Depends on connected smartphone
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) None
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 179g (0.39 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 63 x 63 x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 images 200 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 NP-BN,
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $288 $268