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Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
60
Features
66
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 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
  • Revealed May 2010
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL1s
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched September 2016
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Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Olympus E-PL1 and YI M1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and YI. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and M1 (20MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1 was launched 7 years earlier than the M1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PL1 grades versus the M1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the YI M1

 E-PL1 M1 

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 M1 E-PL1 
LaunchedSeptember 2016May 2010Fresher by 77 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and YI M1

 E-PL1 M1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 has outer 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) and the YI M1 has proportions of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL1 and YI M1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL1 versus the M1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and M1 is 86 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and M1.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the YI M1 to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography features
YI M1 Portrait photography features
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
76
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
YI M1 Street photography information
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
74
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with YI M1
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (290 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
55
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good battery (450 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
YI M1 as a Travel photography camera
52
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
78
good battery (450 per charge)
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography information
YI M1 Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (290 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
77
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (450 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
YI M1 Vlogging highlights
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
33
touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and YI M1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1YI M1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus YI
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 YI M1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-05-17 2016-09-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
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) 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lbs) 350 gr (0.77 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos 450 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $288 $320