Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony S980

Let's look closer at the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony S980, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and S980 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-PL1s was manufactured 22 months later than the S980 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony S980 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PL1s matches up versus the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s features exterior 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 Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony S980 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the S980.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and S980 is 86 and 94 respectively.

More often than not, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and S980.

Clearly, both cameras have got the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s includes the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower DOF simpler. The more recent E-PL1s should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.