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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
67
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
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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.

Photography Glossary

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
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
72
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
74
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
72
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