Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-11: An In-Depth Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Choosing between cameras from the same brand but vastly different categories can be challenging, especially when one is an entry-level mirrorless system and the other a compact superzoom point-and-shoot. Having personally tested thousands of cameras spanning from professional DSLRs to casual compacts, I often encounter photographers wondering which camera best suits their needs, balancing features, performance, and budget.

Today, I’ll be unpacking the Olympus PEN E-PL1s and the Olympus SZ-11 - two distinctly different cameras released close to each other, yet designed for very different users. This comprehensive comparison delves into their design, image quality, usability across photography genres, technical performance, and ultimately guides you to the camera that will truly help unlock your creative potential.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

When I pick up cameras for an extended test, the first thing that hits me is how they feel in my hands - does the grip feel secure, are the controls intuitive, and does the camera inspire confidence for serious shooting?

The Olympus E-PL1s, with its rangefinder-style mirrorless body, measures 115 x 72 x 42 mm and weighs around 334 grams. The compactness of this Micro Four Thirds system means it’s highly portable yet substantial enough for mature handling. The fixed HyperCrystal LCD screen, though modest at 2.7 inches and only 230k dots resolution, provides good visibility due to its AR coating, helping even in sunlight. The E-PL1s supports manual focus, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual modes, which is critical for photographers seeking control.

The Olympus SZ-11 is decidedly smaller and lighter at 106 x 69 x 40 mm and 226 grams, fitting the typical compact camera mold. Its 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k dots provides a clearer, more vibrant live view than the E-PL1s, and the camera is designed for point-and-shoot ease, lacking any manual exposure modes. Ergonomically, this camera feels more limited, aimed squarely at casual shooters who prioritize zoom range and simplicity over creative control.

This image illustrates the size difference quite well: the E-PL1s’s more traditional camera shape invites a firmer grip and manual operation suited for deliberate shooting, while the SZ-11’s sleeker, pocketable style promises grab-and-go simplicity.

My takeaway:

If you value manual control and a feel that inspires creative photography, the E-PL1s’ build wins hands down. However, if convenience and lightweight portability are your top priorities for casual travel or family snapshots, the SZ-11’s compact form is appealing.

Design Details and Control Layout

Control placement affects how efficiently you can capture moments, especially in dynamic settings like wildlife or street photography. Using my hands-on sessions with both cameras, I noticed clear differences in their design philosophies.

The mirrorless E-PL1s features a more traditional DSLR-like control layout, albeit simplified for entry-level users. It has dials and buttons for exposure compensation, ISO, and shooting modes, laid out neatly on the top plate and back. Its sensor-based image stabilization button and exposure modes are accessible without forcing you into menu diving.

In contrast, the SZ-11 is optimized for simplicity; fewer buttons and no manual exposure options. The zoom lever dominates the right side near the shutter, reflecting its superzoom focus. The menu uses simpler navigation to accommodate its target audience.

For photographers serious about tweaking settings on the fly, the E-PL1s comes out ahead. Its more traditional control scheme lets you focus on crafting images instead of wrestling menus. The SZ-11 is clearly for those who prefer point-and-shoot convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Big Difference from the Start

Arguably, the most impactful factor on image quality is the sensor technology. Here, the Olympus E-PL1s and SZ-11 differ dramatically.

The E-PL1s houses a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, significantly larger than typical compact sensors. This sensor size means better light-gathering capability, lower noise, and richer tonal gradations. Its TruePic V processor handles processing duties, balancing noise reduction with fine detail retention.

The SZ-11 uses a 14MP 1/2.3” CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) - a far smaller surface with a high pixel density. While offering a higher nominal resolution, the pixel pitch is much smaller, resulting in more noise and less dynamic range especially in low light.

In my lab tests and field use, the E-PL1s consistently produces images with superior color depth, dynamic range, and low light performance. While the SZ-11 captures decent images in bright outdoor conditions, noise becomes intrusive at ISO 800 and above. The lack of RAW support on the SZ-11 further limits creative editing flexibility.

For genres like landscape or portraiture, where image quality is paramount, the E-PL1s is your clear choice due to its sensor and RAW capability.

Viewing and Interface: How You See and Compose

Composing images is both a technical and artistic process that benefits greatly from quality LCDs and viewfinders.

Neither camera offers a built-in electronic viewfinder, though the E-PL1s supports an optional accessory EVF - a boon for bright outdoor shooting or precise manual focusing.

The E-PL1s’s 2.7-inch fixed LCD with low resolution can feel limiting, with visible pixelation when checking focus or detail. However, its anti-reflective coating helps mitigate glare in sunlight.

The SZ-11 provides a larger 3-inch screen with better resolution (460k dots), making it easier to frame and review images on the move.

For photographers focused on image crafting and manual focus, the E-PL1s might necessitate investing in an EVF or external monitor. The SZ-11’s screen favors casual users who want an immediate, easy-to-see display.

Performance in Real-World Photography Genres

Each camera shines in different photographic scenarios based on its strengths and intended use.

Portrait Photography

Capturing natural skin tones and beautiful bokeh requires sensor quality and lens control.

The E-PL1s, coupled with the extensive Olympus Micro Four Thirds lens lineup (over 100 lenses spanning primes, macros, and telephotos), excels here. Its ability to shoot wide apertures (f/1.8 lenses available) creates smooth subject-background separation and appealing bokeh. Its face detection autofocus works reliably, though the contrast-detection AF can occasionally hunt in low contrast scenes.

The SZ-11’s fixed lens with a max aperture of f/3.0-6.9 and smaller sensor limits shallow depth-of-field effects. Portraits are generally flatter, less creamy, and less detailed. The autofocus is contrast-based but works well enough for casual portraits.

Landscape Photography

High resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing matter.

The E-PL1s produces sharp, detailed landscape images with balanced color and respectable dynamic range thanks to its larger sensor. However, it lacks robust weather sealing, which may determine use in harsh conditions. Its 12MP resolution may seem modest today, but it's adequate for print and web.

The SZ-11’s sensor and zoom range favor versatility but suffer from noise and limited dynamic range, reducing quality in challenging lighting. Its fixed lens limits composition flexibility compared to interchangeable lenses.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Speed, autofocus tracking, and burst rate are vital.

The SZ-11 boasts a fast 7 fps burst rate but has slow autofocus and limited manual control, making it awkward to track action beyond casual use.

The E-PL1s shoots 3 fps continuous, slower in comparison, but offers better autofocus accuracy and tracking modes. Its lens selection includes telephoto options suitable for wildlife - though autofocus may sometimes lag behind modern cameras.

Street and Travel Photography

Portability and discretion count.

The SZ-11's compact size and long zoom make it a flexible travel companion for casual shooters wanting great reach without zoom lenses’ bulk.

The E-PL1s is still compact relative to DSLRs but larger than the SZ-11, requiring more thoughtful packing. Its manual controls and RAW support appeal to travel photography enthusiasts who want quality and versatility.

Macro Photography

Close focusing and stabilization help here.

The E-PL1s benefits from compatible macro prime lenses with excellent sharpness and reveals fine textures wonderfully. Sensor shift stabilization also aids handheld macro shots.

The SZ-11 offers a very close 1 cm macro focus but combined with its smaller sensor, results are less detailed.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO noise and long exposure capabilities are keys.

The E-PL1s stands out with lower noise at ISO 800 and 1600, plus full manual exposure control enabling long exposures useful in night or astrophotography. The SZ-11’s limited ISO range and absence of manual modes restricts this style.

Video

Both record 720p HD video at 30 fps with Motion JPEG format. Neither offers professional video features, microphone input, or stabilization beyond the sensor shift in the E-PL1s. Video quality suits casual use only.

Technical Merits: Autofocus, Stabilization, and Battery Life

Autofocus Systems

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection autofocus. The E-PL1s uses 11 focus points with face detection, enabling more precise and quicker focusing, especially in static or low-light scenes. Its continuous AF allows tracking moving subjects with moderate success.

The SZ-11 has less sophisticated AF with unknown points number, suitable mainly for still subjects. Its continuous AF is limited, affecting fast action capture.

Image Stabilization

The E-PL1s offers sensor-based stabilization compatible with any lens mounted - a significant advantage for handheld shooting.

The SZ-11 also employs sensor-shift stabilization but is tuned to the fixed lens.

Battery and Storage

The E-PL1s uses a proprietary BLS-1 battery rated for around 290 shots per charge, sufficient for a day of shooting but less than modern standards.

The SZ-11’s lithium-ion battery yields about 200 shots, fair for its category.

Both utilize single SD/SDHC cards; the SZ-11 supports SDXC as well.

Connectivity

Neither camera features Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, limiting immediate image sharing, a drawback for modern users.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged features like dustproofing or shockproofing. The E-PL1s feels slightly more robust with a metal top plate, typical of mirrorless bodies, while the SZ-11’s plastic compact build is lighter but more delicate.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

One of the E-PL1s’s greatest strengths is its Micro Four Thirds mount. Olympus boasts over 100 lens options, from fast primes and macro lenses to long telephotos, enabling vast creative freedom and specialty shooting.

In contrast, the SZ-11’s fixed lens with 20x optical zoom is versatile for general use but limiting for artistic or specialized photography.

Price-to-Performance: Which Is Worth Your Investment?

At launch, the Olympus E-PL1s priced around $600 represented an entry point into mirrorless systems with solid image quality and flexibility. The SZ-11, at roughly $250, is an affordable superzoom compact suitable for beginners.

Considering what you get, the E-PL1s commands a premium for quality but rewards users with better image quality, creative control, and system expandability. The SZ-11 is a budget-friendly option for casual use and travel snapshots.

Real-World Image Samples and Performance Ratings

Below are sample images shot with both cameras in various conditions: portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and low light. Notice the finer detail, better skin tones, and improved dynamic range from the E-PL1s compared to the SZ-11.

Olympus E PL1s front Olympus E PL1s screen back Olympus SZ 11 front Olympus SZ 11 screen back

An overall scoring matrix based on my lab and field testing further outlines the strengths and weaknesses.

When breaking down performance by photography type, the E-PL1s dominates in artistic and professional genres, while the SZ-11’s superzoom shines for tourism and casual family photography.

Who Should Buy the Olympus E-PL1s?

• Photography enthusiasts and prosumers seeking a compact interchangeable-lens system
• People prioritizing image quality, RAW files, and creative control
• Hobbyists into portrait, landscape, macro, and night photography wanting manual exposure modes
• Those invested in a long-term system with lens upgrades and accessories

Who Should Consider the Olympus SZ-11?

• Casual photographers wanting a lightweight, budget-friendly all-in-one zoom for travel and family snapshots
• Beginners or seniors preferring simplicity over manual controls
• Those needing extreme zoom range in a small portable package without fuss

Final Thoughts: Experience Meets Practicality

I approach every camera test looking to answer, “What kind of photographer benefits most from this tool?” With these two Olympus models, the gap in philosophy and capability is wide but clear.

The Olympus E-PL1s still holds its ground as a versatile entry-level mirrorless system producing excellent images with creative control. Its sensor size, lens ecosystem, and manual modes make it a viable choice even years after release, especially now that the Micro Four Thirds system has matured.

The Olympus SZ-11, while limited in technology and creative potential, offers an impressive zoom in a coin-pocket form factor, ideal for casual shooting or those unwilling to micromanage settings.

I recommend photographers serious about honing their craft and exploring diverse photography genres invest in the E-PL1s or a newer equivalent. If you want a simple snap-and-go superzoom without the complexity or cost, the SZ-11 is a reliable companion.

Selecting a camera ultimately reflects your priorities - whether liberation through control or freedom in travel-friendly design. I hope this detailed comparison helps you make an informed choice tailored to your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Camera Specifications at a Glance

If you’re considering these models or their modern counterparts, weigh your creative ambitions against convenience needs carefully. For me, owning a camera like the E-PL1s empowers me to craft images, while a superzoom like the SZ-11 compensates when mobility and zoom range rule the day. Both have their place on that spectrum, and after extensive hands-on evaluation, I’m confident this analysis provides solid guidance tailored to your photographic goals.