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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL1s
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX100, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and RX100 (1") posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was brought out 3 years earlier than the RX100 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PL1 matches up vs the RX100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony RX100

 E-PL1 RX100 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Olympus E-PL1

 RX100 E-PL1 
ReleasedAugust 2012May 2010Fresher by 27 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX100

 E-PL1 RX100 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys outside 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 RX100 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 against the RX100.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and RX100 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at specifications. The photograph below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and RX100.

To sum up, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 featuring a bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX100 will give extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The older E-PL1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
64
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Sony RX100
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
79
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (290 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
79
lighter than competition in class (240g)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
74
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
Sony RX100 Vlogging features
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
38
decently wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (240g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX100
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2010-05-17 2012-08-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 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
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lbs) 240 grams (0.53 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 66
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 12.4
DXO Low light rating 487 390
Other
Battery life 290 photos 330 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $288 $448