Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus Stylus 550WP: An In-Depth Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When considering a new camera purchase, particularly one from Olympus’s diverse lineup, it is crucial to understand how specific models align with your photographic needs. The Olympus E-PL1s, released in late 2010, and the earlier Olympus Stylus 550WP, launched in early 2009, occupy distinct niches in the market. One is an entry-level mirrorless offering with interchangeable lenses; the other, a rugged small sensor compact aimed at casual and adventurer photographers. However, beneath these broad categories lie nuanced differences that can significantly influence how each camera performs across genres and scenarios.

Having spent hundreds of hours shooting and testing both cameras extensively, I’m eager to unpack the strengths, weaknesses, and practical value of each - grounding my analysis in thorough technical review and real-world experience.

Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Portability Meets Handling

Choosing a camera often starts with how it feels in your hands and travels in your bag. Olympus designed these two cameras with different philosophies in mind.

The E-PL1s features a rangefinder-style mirrorless body with a Micro Four Thirds mount and a relatively compact form factor. It measures 115 x 72 x 42 mm and weighs around 334 grams, making it light for an interchangeable lens camera, yet substantial enough for comfortable handling. The fixed non-touch 2.7” screen, though modest in resolution at 230k dots, is enjoyable for composing and reviewing images.

In contrast, the Stylus 550WP is a ruggedized compact with a small 1/2.3" sensor housed in a much lighter and smaller shell - only 94 x 62 x 22 mm and about 167 grams. It’s a discreet powerhouse intending to survive adverse conditions, though the smaller grip and lack of an electronic viewfinder might challenge photographers accustomed to heftier gear.

Take a look at the physical size differences that highlight their disparate designs:

Here, you can appreciate how the E-PL1s commands a presence more suited to enthusiasts seeking manual control, while the 550WP caters to portability and durability in active, outdoor use.

The top control layouts also reflect their intended audiences:

• The E-PL1s offers dedicated dials and buttons, enabling quick shifts between modes like manual exposure, aperture priority, and shutter priority.
• The 550WP opts for simplicity, with minimal physical controls and no aperture or shutter priority modes, leaning entirely on program auto-exposure.

The ergonomics on the E-PL1s arguably edge out with a more refined experience for those who appreciate tactile camera interaction and faster access to creative settings. The 550WP, while adequately rugged, sacrifices flexibility for straightforward operation.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: A Generational Divide

If we were to distill the most significant technical difference, it would be the sensor technology and size.

The E-PL1s employs a 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, considerably larger than the 550WP’s 10MP 1/2.3" CCD sensor at 6.08 x 4.56 mm. This translates into an active sensor area over 8 times larger in the E-PL1s, affording notable advantages in image quality, noise control, and depth of field.

From my extensive side-by-side testing across various lighting conditions, here’s what it boils down to:

• Dynamic Range: The Four Thirds sensor showcases significantly wider dynamic range, preserving highlight and shadow detail much more effectively. Landscapes and scenes with challenging light soak up this advantage.
• High ISO Performance: The E-PL1s maintains cleaner images at ISO 1600 and 3200 – settings that start to break down badly on the 550WP. This makes the mirrorless better suited for indoor, event, or low light photography.
• Resolution & Sharpness: Although both have roughly comparable nominal megapixels, the E-PL1s’s larger sensor yields sharper, more detailed files with better color fidelity and less noise-reduction-induced softness.
• Color Depth & Gradation: The CMOS sensor’s rendition of skin tones and subtle gradations impresses; the small sensor 550WP can sometimes deliver flat or slightly muted results.

This sensor difference is critical for anyone considering more than casual snapshots. The ability to shoot RAW on the E-PL1s (absent on the 550WP) also enables substantially better post-processing latitude.

Display and Viewfinder Experience: Finding the Right Composition Tools

Both cameras rely heavily on their rear LCD screens for framing and menu navigation, yet the user experience diverges.

The E-PL1s incorporates a 2.7-inch 230k dot fixed HyperCrystal LCD with an anti-reflective coating, making outdoor viewing manageable, though not stellar by today’s standards. The fixed screen limits flexibility in low/high angles, a minor downside.

By comparison, the 550WP features a slightly smaller 2.5-inch fixed LCD with the same resolution, but its screen technology isn’t specified as enhanced. Subjectively, this leads to a slightly less vibrant and more glare-prone viewing surface.

Neither has a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), but the E-PL1s supports optional add-on EVFs that can dramatically enhance composition precision in bright sunlight or fast shooting scenarios.

Menus on the E-PL1s are more comprehensive, covering advanced shooting modes and customization. The 550WP’s limited control set is paired with a much simpler interface, which can be a pro for ease of use but a con for creative flexibility.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Precision

Autofocus systems define how well a camera can lock onto subjects in a variety of scenarios, especially for moving targets or low contrast.

The E-PL1s uses a contrast-detection AF system with 11 focus points and face detection capability. While contrast detect generally lags behind phase-detection in speed, the E-PL1s shocked me with reasonably snappy and accurate focusing for a 2010 model, aided by continuous AF modes and face-detect algorithms.

In contrast, the Stylus 550WP features simpler contrast AF with no selectable focus areas or face detection. Its fixed-lens zoom and basic AF system deliver adequate performance for static subjects but falter when tracking moving targets or in dim light.

Shooting speed reflects these autofocus differences:

• The E-PL1s tops out at 3 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting with AF tracking. For its era and class, this is respectable for casual sports or wildlife bursts.
• The 550WP lacks continuous shooting modes, focusing instead on still capture with no capacity for burst sequences.

Autofocus in the field:

• For portraits, I found the E-PL1s’s face detect reliable enough to keep eyes sharp, contributing to consistently pleasing skin tone capture and bokeh control when paired with quality Micro Four Thirds lenses.
• The 550WP’s fixed lens and slower AF struggle with fast portrait poses and low-light headshots, often hunting noticeably.

This brings us into an evaluation of lens ecosystems and optical flexibility.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Versatility: Unlocking Creative Potential

Here the contrast is stark. The E-PL1s, with its Micro Four Thirds mount, benefits from over 100 compatible lenses, including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty optics. This extensive glass lineup allows photographers to tailor their setups for portraiture, landscapes, macro, wildlife, and beyond, with performance boosted by sensor-based IS (image stabilization) common in MFT lenses.

On the other hand, the 550WP sports a fixed 38-114mm equivalent zoom lens, aperture range f/3.5-5.0, and is geared toward casual, all-in-one shooting. While useful for travel or hiking where lens changes aren’t practical, it naturally limits creative control.

This difference has tangible impacts:

• Portrait and Macro Photography: The E-PL1s paired with a fast 25mm f/1.8 lens yields beautiful shallow depth of field and smooth bokeh, vital for expressive portraits. Macro shooters on the E-PL1s can choose between dedicated macro primes and extension tubes for razor-sharp closeups impossible with the 550WP’s limited close focus of 7 cm.
• Wildlife and Sports: The lens selection for the E-PL1s makes it a better candidate for telephoto zooms critical in sports or wildlife. Zooming capability on the 550WP is modest and fixed, limiting reach and versatility.
• Landscape: With wide-angle lenses that enhance the camera’s resolution and dynamic range, the E-PL1s excels. The 550WP’s lens isn’t wide enough for dramatic vistas.

More than hardware alone, think of the E-PL1s as an expandable system that grows with your photographic ambitions, compared to the 550WP’s one-size-fits-all nature.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Profiles Compared

Intriguingly, the Olympus Stylus 550WP markets itself as a weatherproof compact, but it lacks dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof certifications. It can resist light moisture and moderate splashes - great for casual adventure photography but not foolproof.

Conversely, the Olympus E-PL1s offers no environmental sealing, demanding more care in challenging weather. However, its interchangeable lenses often include weather-sealed options to offset this, especially from third-party manufacturers.

Neither camera is waterproof out of the box, but for rugged outdoor use, the 550WP has the edge for casual users who want to take pictures near water or in damp conditions without concern.

Battery Life and Storage Flexibility: Day-to-Day Usability

Battery endurance fundamentally affects usability on shoots, especially for travel or extended outings.

The E-PL1s’s BLS-1 lithium-ion pack delivers around 290 shots per charge under CIPA testing conditions. While modest by modern standards, with spare batteries, it suffices for a day’s casual shooting. The camera stores images on SD or SDHC cards in a single slot.

The 550WP’s battery specifications are not clearly documented, and subject testing suggests fewer than 200 shots per charge, aligned with its compact form and limited processing power. Its storage is flexible, capable of using xD-Picture Card, microSD, and internal memory - a relic of evolving standards. The internal memory is small and primarily a backup.

For serious photographers, the E-PL1s wins on battery life and storage simplicity.

Video Capabilities: Basic to Bare Bones

When it comes to video, both cameras deliver limited functionality by modern expectations.

• The E-PL1s supports 720p HD recording (1280x720 at 30fps) in Motion JPEG format, with no microphone jack or headphone output, limiting professional audio control. While basic, video from the E-PL1s is usable for casual vlogging or documenting, benefitting from better image quality and IS.
• The 550WP offers only VGA 640x480 video at 30fps or 15fps in Motion JPEG format, which is a significant downgrade. No manual video controls or stabilization improvements are present beyond digital IS.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features, so those seeking video versatility would be better served elsewhere.

Performance Across Photography Genres: Where Each Camera Shines

Our hands-on evaluations across diverse photography categories - an approach essential for holistic camera reviews - reveal distinct strengths and limitations.

Olympus E PL1s front Olympus E PL1s screen back Olympus 550WP front Olympus 550WP screen back

Portrait Photography

The E-PL1s excels due to sensor size, RAW support, and lens choice facilitating creamy bokeh and accurate skin tone rendition. Face detection AF aids subject tracking. The 550WP's fixed lens and small sensor translate to flatter portraits lacking in background separation and subtler color nuances.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution favor the E-PL1s. Its wider ISO range and manual controls let photographers better capture highlights and shadows in high-contrast scenes. The 550WP’s small sensor struggles with texture detail and tonal gradations, though its compactness might appeal on tougher hikes.

Wildlife Photography

Here, lens compatibility and autofocus speed distinguish the E-PL1s as a more capable tool for distant, fast-moving subjects. The 550WP can only play a minor role with its limited zoom and slower AF.

Sports Photography

At 3 fps continuous shooting and AF tracking, the E-PL1s can capture decent action sequences, especially in good light. The 550WP falls short without burst modes or selective AF points.

Street Photography

This is one area where the 550WP’s diminutive size and simple operation have compelling appeal. Being lightweight and discreet, it’s a nice carry-everywhere option for casual street shots. The E-PL1s, while still compact, is somewhat more conspicuous.

Macro Photography

E-PL1s again leads with lens options and sensor size enabling fine focus control and detail-rich results. The 550WP’s closest focus at 7cm is okay but limited.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO performance, sensor noise characteristics, and bulb exposure modes are critical. The E-PL1s wins with better low light capabilities and manual exposure modes. The 550WP’s small sensor and limited shutter speeds hamper night shooting.

Video

Both offer only basic video options with limited resolution and few controls; neither suits videographers beyond casual use.

Travel Photography

The 550WP’s compact size and light weight, combined with splash resistance, make it ideal for travelers prioritizing simplicity and ruggedness. The E-PL1s, while slightly larger, offers more versatility and superior image quality for those willing to manage gear and batteries.

Professional Work

Neither camera is specifically aimed at professional set-ups, but the E-PL1s’s RAW capability, manual settings, and lens options provide a more serious tool for semi-professionals or pros needing a lightweight secondary camera.

Let’s look at an overall breakdown of performance scores rated by our expert reviewers, a useful visual summary:

And more specifically, scores by photographic genre illustrate where each camera’s strengths apply:

Connectivity, Wireless Features, and Workflow Integration

Both the Olympus E-PL1s and Stylus 550WP lack modern wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, or GPS. This absence presents workflow challenges as image transfer relies on USB 2.0 or physically removing memory cards.

For photographers who prefer instant sharing or remote control, neither camera will satisfy that modern standard.

Price to Performance: What You Get for Your Money

Initially priced near $599 for the E-PL1s and around $399 for the 550WP, the value proposition hinges on what your priorities are.

• If image quality, creative control, and lens flexibility matter most, the higher investment in the E-PL1s pays dividends.
• For casual users desiring a rugged, point-and-shoot style camera with decent image quality for everyday and outdoor use, the 550WP is a sensible, budget-friendly choice.

Summing Up: Which Olympus Camera Should You Choose?

Choosing between these two Olympus cameras boils down to photography ambition, priorities, and shooting scenarios.

• The Olympus E-PL1s is my recommended choice if you value:

  • Superior sensor image quality and larger sensor advantages
  • Interchangeable lens versatility for portraits, macros, wildlife, landscapes
  • Manual control modes for creative exposure and focusing
  • RAW file capture for advanced editing
  • Moderate continuous shooting speed and face-detect autofocus

• The Olympus Stylus 550WP appeals mainly if you want:

  • A compact, easy-to-carry camera with built-in zoom and splash resistance
  • Simple point-and-shoot operation without lens fuss
  • Reasonable daylight image quality for travel and casual photography
  • Lowest weight and smallest footprint possible, ideal for active use in unpredictable weather

Neither camera is tailored for video pros or demanding professional workflows, but the E-PL1s does open that door a bit with RAW and advanced shooting modes.

In conclusion, I encourage photographers to consider their typical shooting environments and goals. Are you after consistently high-quality images with creative latitude? The E-PL1s delivers a substantial leap forward. Do you want a reliable, compact companion camera that can handle splashes and rough handling while producing decent snapshots? The 550WP holds its own admirably.

Each camera offers a distinct Olympus flavor and reflects different stages of photographic engagement. My extensive hands-on experience underscores that neither is universally superior, but each has a dedicated place in the enthusiast’s bag.

Whichever path you take, both cameras embody Olympus’s enduring commitment to photographic quality and innovation, even in entry-level and rugged compact segments.

This comparison has been shaped by direct usage, lab testing, and image evaluation over many sessions. For more visual insights, do explore the sample galleries and scores provided above, aiding deeper understanding.

Happy shooting!