Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony HX1

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PL8 versus Sony HX1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and HX1 (1/2.4") use totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL8 was manufactured 7 years after the HX1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL8 scores vs the HX1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL8 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery and Sony HX1 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys outer measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL8 versus Sony HX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL8 versus the HX1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and HX1 is 86 and 67 respectively.

Typically, it's tough to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The image here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and HX1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL8 will provide more detail due to its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The newer E-PL8 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.