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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released November 2010
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G2
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the G1 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1s was launched 23 months later than the G1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL1s grades vs the G1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic G1

 E-PL1s G1 
IntroducedNovember 2010January 2009More recent by 23 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 G1 E-PL1s 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G1

 E-PL1s G1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s provides exterior 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) whilst the Panasonic G1 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1s against the G1.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and G1 is 86 and 82 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and G1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you should expect comparable quality of files though you will want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more modern E-PL1s is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography information
Panasonic G1 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
57
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography highlights
Panasonic G1 Street photography highlights
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
72
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography information
Panasonic G1 Sports photography information
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography details
Panasonic G1 Travel photography details
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
62
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic G1 Landscape photography highlights
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
57
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging advice
Panasonic G1 Vlogging advice
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
18
can't shoot video
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic G1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic G1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-G1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-11-16 2009-01-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 10.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 360g (0.79 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 53
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 463
Other
Battery life 290 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $599 $0