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Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20

Portability
86
Imaging
52
Features
81
Overall
63
Olympus PEN E-PL7 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2014
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL6
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL8
Sony TX20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL7 and Sony TX20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL7 (16MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL7 (Four Thirds) and TX20 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-PL7 was introduced 2 years after the TX20 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL7 scores against the TX20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Sony TX20

 E-PL7 TX20 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014February 2012More modern by 31 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k922kSharper screen (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Olympus E-PL7

 TX20 E-PL7 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL7 and Sony TX20

 E-PL7 TX20 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL7 has external measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Sony TX20 has measurements of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL7 and Sony TX20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL7 and the TX20.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL7 and TX20 is 86 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The picture below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL7 and TX20.

To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL7 offers the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler. The more recent E-PL7 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Portrait photography advice
Sony TX20 Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Street photography details
Sony TX20 Street photography details
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
environment sealing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 as a Sports photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Sports photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
no phase detect auto focus
50
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (250 shots)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 as a Travel photography camera
Sony TX20 as a Travel photography camera
84
offers touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
72
better than average battery life (250 shots)
environment sealing
comes with touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Landscape photography information
Sony TX20 Landscape photography information
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
52
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
better than average battery life (250 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL7 Vlogging advice
Sony TX20 Vlogging advice
78
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone port
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Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony TX20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL7 and Sony TX20
 Olympus PEN E-PL7Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL7 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2014-09-01 2012-02-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 81 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.70 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lb) 133 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 873 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 250 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-50 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $499 $330