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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
57
Overall
64

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 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
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced February 2013
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL1 versus Sony RX1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and RX1 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was introduced 3 years earlier than the RX1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-PL1 grades vs the RX1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony RX1

 E-PL1 RX1 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 RX1 E-PL1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013May 2010Newer by 33 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX1

 E-PL1 RX1 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 has exterior dimensions 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 RX1 has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 and the RX1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and RX1 is 86 and 79 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The pic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and RX1.

As you can tell, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Sony RX1 will show greater detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX1 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
82
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/4,000 seconds)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Sony RX1
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
66
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Sony RX1
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
low battery (290 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
53
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (270 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography features
Sony RX1 Travel photography features
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (290 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
62
MP count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
fast max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (270 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (482g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
Landscape photography with Sony RX1
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery (290 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
65
focusing manually
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (270 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
34
fast max aperture (f2.0)
has face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (482g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-05-17 2013-02-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35mm (1x)
Max aperture - f/2.0-22.0
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/4000s
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 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 482 gr (1.06 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 93
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 14.3
DXO Low light score 487 2534
Other
Battery life 290 shots 270 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $288 $2,798