Olympus E-PL1s vs Sony WX1

The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony WX1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the WX1 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and WX1 (1/2.4") enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1s was revealed 16 months after the WX1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony WX1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL1s grades against the WX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery and Sony WX1 Gallery.

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1s enjoys external dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Sony WX1 has dimensions of 91mm x 52mm x 20mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.8") along with a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL1s and Sony WX1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL1s compared to the WX1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1s and WX1 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Quite often, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by seeing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and WX1.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1s using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL1s will produce extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern E-PL1s will have an edge in sensor tech.