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Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
42
Overall
41

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed November 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL2
Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Replacement is Olympus TG-870
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus TG-860, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both are sold by Olympus. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and TG-860 (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and TG-860 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1s was revealed 5 years prior to the TG-860 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-PL1s grades against the TG-860 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Olympus TG-860

 E-PL1s TG-860 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 TG-860 E-PL1s 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015November 2010Fresher by 51 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus TG-860

 E-PL1s TG-860 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1s features outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-860 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus TG-860 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s against the TG-860.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and TG-860 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at specifications. The photograph here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and TG-860.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s using its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus TG-860 will give you extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The older E-PL1s is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus TG-860 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
36
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography factors
Olympus TG-860 Street photography factors
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Sports photography with Olympus TG-860
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
49
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography advice
Olympus TG-860 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
71
environment proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (21mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography factors
Olympus TG-860 Landscape photography factors
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
48
relatively wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging info
Olympus TG-860 Vlogging info
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
33
relatively wide (21mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-860 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Olympus TG-860
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sOlympus Stylus Tough TG-860
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Revealed 2010-11-16 2015-02-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone 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 Yes
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 224 gr (0.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 300 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $599 $279