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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Announced November 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic SZ1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1s was launched 13 months prior to the SZ1 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL1s matches up vs the SZ1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic SZ1

 E-PL1s SZ1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 SZ1 E-PL1s 
LaunchedJanuary 2012November 2010Fresher by 13 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic SZ1

 E-PL1s SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outside dimensions 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 Panasonic SZ1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic SZ1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1s and the SZ1.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and SZ1 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The visual underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and SZ1.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s featuring a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic SZ1 will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The older E-PL1s is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
34
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (131g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography factors
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low battery life (290 per charge)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
70
lighter than competitors (131g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography highlights
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
no Timelapse function
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (131g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-11-16 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 131g (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos 250 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $599 $179