Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus 550WP

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus 550WP, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the 550WP (10MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and 550WP (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-PL1s was unveiled 23 months later than the 550WP which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-PL1s scores versus the 550WP when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Olympus Stylus 550WP. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Olympus 550WP Gallery.

When you are intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Olympus 550WP has dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus 550WP in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the 550WP.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and 550WP is 86 and 94 respectively.

Typically, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and 550WP.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1s using its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Olympus E-PL1s will offer you more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-PL1s provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.