Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

The following is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-PL1s versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and SZ-31MR iHS (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1s was manufactured 14 months prior to the SZ-31MR iHS which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL1s matches up against the SZ-31MR iHS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Gallery.

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1s versus Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the SZ-31MR iHS.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and SZ-31MR iHS is 86 and 89 respectively.

Usually, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and SZ-31MR iHS.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1s because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS will result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1s will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.