Olympus E-PL1s vs Pentax P80

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax P80, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the P80 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and P80 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was revealed 16 months later than the P80 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax P80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-PL1s scores versus the P80 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Pentax Optio P80. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Pentax P80 Gallery.

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outer dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Pentax P80 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL1s and Pentax P80 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s versus the P80.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and P80 is 86 and 95 respectively.

More often than not, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements only by seeing technical specs. The photograph below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and P80.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL1s provides the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF less difficult. The more recent E-PL1s provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.