Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony QX100

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony QX100, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and QX100 (20MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and QX100 (1") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM1 was released 21 months before the QX100 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the E-PM1 grades against the QX100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Sony QX100 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Sony QX100 has proportions of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") and a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony QX100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PM1 and the QX100.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and QX100 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Normally, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The photograph here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and QX100.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony QX100 will render more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.