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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
86
Imaging
46
Features
43
Overall
44
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Announced May 2010
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Expand to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Revealed March 2023
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony ZV-E1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the ZV-E1 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1 was revealed 14 years earlier than the ZV-E1 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL1 scores against the ZV-E1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL1 ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ZV-E1 E-PL1 
RevealedMarch 2023May 2010More recent by 156 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.00"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL1 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 enjoys outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Sony ZV-E1 has specifications of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony ZV-E1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 and the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and ZV-E1 is 86 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and ZV-E1.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 includes the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging. The older E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography information
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
71
focusing manually
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Sony ZV-E1
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
84
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (483g)
very good high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography highlights
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
71
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (570 per charge)
has phase detect AF
low max shutter speed (1/ seconds)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
Sony ZV-E1 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
79
better than average battery life (570 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
has touch focus
selfie friendly display
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography factors
54
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3.00 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (570 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging details
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
85
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 1920 pxls)
has external mic port
lighter than competition in class (483g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Sony ZV-E1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Sony ZV-E1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2010-05-17 2023-03-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 3200 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 759
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 195
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3.00 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s -
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x1920
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lbs) 483g (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 570 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $288 $2,198