Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony TX20

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony TX20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1s (12MP) and TX20 (16MP) and the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and TX20 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1s was revealed 15 months before the TX20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-PL1s grades against the TX20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Sony TX20 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys outside 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) and the Sony TX20 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony TX20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL1s versus the TX20.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and TX20 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Usually, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through technical specs. The graphic here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1s and TX20.

As you have seen, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1s having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Sony TX20 will give you extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-PL1s is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.