Olympus E-PL1s vs Olympus TG-870

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL1s versus Olympus TG-870, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact and both are created by Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and TG-870 (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL1s was introduced 6 years prior to the TG-870 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-PL1s scores versus the TG-870 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Olympus TG-870 Gallery.

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s has external dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Olympus TG-870 has measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL1s versus Olympus TG-870 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL1s against the TG-870.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and TG-870 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Typically, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing purely by researching technical specs. The photograph below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and TG-870.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus TG-870 will result in extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-PL1s will be behind with regard to sensor tech.