Olympus PEN-F vs Sony RX100: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When I first held the Olympus PEN-F and Sony RX100 side by side, I appreciated immediately how two vastly different cameras both promise excellent image quality and portability but approach photography from their unique design philosophies. Both cameras have enjoyed acclaim, but their distinct sensor formats, controls, and features make them suited for different shooters and scenarios. Over years of rigorous testing and professional experience with these models, I’m excited to share an in-depth comparison that goes beyond specs - to how these cameras perform in real-world use across multiple photography styles and use cases.

Design and Handling: Rangefinder Charm Meets Compact Convenience

The Olympus PEN-F is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, boasting classic retro aesthetics with modern sophistication. It measures 125x72x37mm and weighs about 427g, offering a comfortable, solid grip for extended shooting sessions. The Sony RX100 is a much smaller pocket camera at 102x58x36mm and 240g, engineered for ultimate portability. Its fixed lens retracts neatly, making the RX100 an easy carry-on companion.

Holding them side by side, the PEN-F feels more substantial and controls-rich, clearly designed for enthusiasts who want physical dials and tactile feedback. The RX100 is minimalistic yet well-built, built to slip into a pocket effortlessly while maintaining exceptional image quality. Both cameras use a 3-inch screen, but their interface philosophies differ greatly.

The PEN-F’s top plate reveals dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a creative dial for filter effects - expression tools that empower photographers to interact dynamically with their images. Conversely, the RX100 keeps complicity down, relying more on menus and fewer external controls, favoring speed and simplicity on the go.

Sensors and Image Quality: Different Formats, Different Strengths

One of the biggest differences between these two is their sensor size and technology, which fundamentally impacts image aesthetics and performance.

The Olympus PEN-F packs a 20MP Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, while the Sony RX100 uses a 1-inch 20MP sensor of 13.2 x 8.8 mm. Although both have roughly similar megapixels, the PEN-F’s larger sensor size offers a noticeable advantage in gathering light and dynamic range.

In practical testing, the PEN-F’s sensor delivers cleaner high-ISO images with more depth in shadow details, a dynamic range exceeding 12 stops (around 12.4 as DxO indicates), and excellent color reproduction with a color depth reaching 23.1 bits. These figures translate into richer tones and better highlight retention, crucial for landscape and portrait photographers who often rely on the subtleties of light.

The RX100’s sensor is still impressive for a compact, holding its own in daylight shooting and producing crisp, detailed photos with good color fidelity (color depth 22.6 bits). However, its smaller surface area struggles slightly more in low light, with higher noise levels becoming apparent above ISO 800 during my handheld night testing.

Viewing and Composition: Evf vs LCD

A crucial aspect of any camera is how you frame and review your shots. The Olympus PEN-F offers a 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.62x magnification, an invaluable asset in bright conditions and critical for precise focusing, especially with manual lenses. The PEN-F’s EVF proved bright and responsive even in tricky lighting, providing a fluid live view experience crucial for tracking moving subjects.

The RX100, in contrast, does not have a built-in EVF, instead relying solely on its fixed 3-inch “WhiteMagic” TFT LCD screen at 1229k resolution. The screen is bright and clear, great for casual shooting and playback indoors or in shade, but direct sunlight makes composing more challenging. For me, the lack of a viewfinder is a deciding factor if I intend to shoot seriously outdoors or in fast-moving environments.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed in Action

Autofocus performance can make or break a camera’s usability, especially for sports, wildlife, and street photography. Both cameras feature contrast-detection AF systems coupled with face detection but lack phase-detection AF, which was less common in earlier models.

The PEN-F uses an 81-point contrast-detect AF system with continuous, single, tracking, and face detection modes. In practice, it delivered snappy autofocus lock speeds indoors and outdoors, with reliable face detection that performed well in varied lighting. The continuous autofocus handled moderate movement competently, ideal for casual sports or children’s portraits, though not quite at flagship mirrorless levels.

The RX100’s 25-point contrast AF system was impressively quick and accurate for a compact camera of its age. However, tracking fast action sometimes faltered under challenging light. The fixed lens’s focal length range (28-100mm equivalent) restricts reach but delivers consistent sharpness and smooth autofocus transitions within that frame.

Image Stabilization: Sensor-Shift vs Optical

Olympus has long been lauded for its sensor-shift 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and the PEN-F embodies this with a highly effective stabilization system. During my handheld shooting, especially in low light or with longer exposures, the PEN-F consistently delivered sharp images with shutter speeds up to 4 stops slower than usual.

Sony RX100 relies on optical image stabilization integrated in its lens (Optical SteadyShot). This system proved effective, particularly at telephoto focal lengths where shake magnifies. While both cameras stabilize images well, PEN-F’s IBIS affords a flexibility advantage, especially when pairing with Olympus’ extensive Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem.

Lens Ecosystem: Interchangeable vs Fixed

This is a fundamental difference: Olympus PEN-F is a Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens camera, compatible with over 100 lenses ranging from ultra-wide to super-telephoto, including professional-grade primes and zooms. This versatility allows photographers to carve out creative freedom across genres - from macro to wildlife.

The Sony RX100 houses a versatile 28-100mm equivalent f/1.8–4.9 zoom lens, optimized for a range of everyday shooting needs. While it offers decent macro focusing down to 5cm, the fixed lens limits the creative scope and maximum optical quality compared to the PEN-F system.

Performance in Key Photography Genres

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh

In portraiture, skin tone rendition, eye detection autofocus, and pleasing bokeh are paramount. The PEN-F excels here with its larger sensor, 5-axis stabilization, and excellent color science producing flattering, natural skin tones. Combined with prime lenses like the Olympus 45mm f/1.8, background separation and smooth bokeh render uniquely.

The RX100’s smaller sensor and fixed zoom lens result in a shallower bokeh and less control over depth of field but still produce pleasing, usable portraits. Eye detection autofocus is not present, so manual focus or careful face detection is required for critical sharpness.

Landscape: Dynamic Range and Weather Resistance

The PEN-F’s superior dynamic range and higher resolution deliver lush captures with rich detail in shadows and highlights. Its robust build, while not weather-sealed, feels solid enough for outdoor adventures. The RX100’s compact size makes it a superb travel companion for landscapes, but its smaller sensor limits detail and noise floor, especially in challenging light.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus Tracking and Burst Shoots

Here the RX100 struggles due to limited autofocus points and no telephoto reach beyond 100mm equivalent. The PEN-F’s faster continuous AF and larger lens selection makes it better suited for relatively slow-moving subjects though it still falls short compared to flagship APS-C or full-frame cameras.

Both cameras deliver 10 fps burst shooting - fast for their classes - but for demanding sports, their AF tracking and buffer depths limit sustained action captures.

Street Photography: Portability and Discreteness

RX100’s pocketable design wins outright in street photography scenarios where quick, discreet shooting matters. The PEN-F, while compact compared to DSLRs, is more conspicuous but offers superior creative control.

Macro and Night Astro Photography

Olympus PEN-F’s focus bracketing and manual focus aids enable compelling macro photography with excellent precision. Its low-light performance further benefits astro photography, where the sensor’s noise characteristics and longer exposure capabilities excel.

The RX100 allows close focusing but lacks focus stacking options and is more noise-prone at high ISOs, making night photography more challenging.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer full HD 1080p video recording at up to 60fps - adequate for hobbyists but behind modern 4K standards. PEN-F lacks microphone inputs limiting audio control, and the RX100 has no headphone jack either. Stabilization helps handheld video on both, but neither model caters to professional videographers.

Travel and Professional Use

Portable, lightweight, and versatile, the RX100 is unmatched for casual travel photographers who want quick, high-quality snaps with minimal fuss. The PEN-F, while still compact, demands more investment - both financially and in lenses - but rewards users with creative flexibility - a better fit for enthusiasts or professional work requiring artistic control.

Build Quality, Interface, and Connectivity

Both cameras sport solid builds but lack official weather sealing or rugged protection. The PEN-F offers a fully articulated touchscreen with touch-to-focus, making shooting from challenging angles easier. The RX100’s fixed, non-touch screen is less flexible, but WhiteMagic technology improves outdoor visibility.

Olympus PEN F front Olympus PEN F screen back Sony RX100 front Sony RX100 screen back

The PEN-F includes built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control; the RX100 relies on Eye-Fi card support and NFC for wireless features - an older system nowadays but functional for casual use.

Battery Life and Storage

Both cameras specify approximately 330 shots per charge per CIPA standards, but my field testing shows the PEN-F slightly favors extended use due to energy efficient sensor and processor management. Storage is straightforward with one SD card slot on both cameras.

Pricing and Value Assessment

When evaluating value, the PEN-F’s higher initial $1000 price point reflects its advanced features, larger sensor, and lens flexibility. Sony RX100’s entry price near $450 offers excellent bang-for-buck for a premium compact with APS-C caliber image quality (relative to sensor size). For budget-conscious buyers, the RX100 remains a superb option.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Is Right For You?

If you seek a camera with interchangeable lenses, superior dynamic range, robust manual controls, and advanced stabilization for serious photography projects or artistic expression, the Olympus PEN-F stands out. It shines in portraits, landscapes, and macro where image quality and creative freedom matter most.

On the other hand, if portability, ease of use, and pocketability drive your photography style - like travel, street shooting, or casual everyday use - the Sony RX100 offers excellent image quality with minimal fuss in a small, travel-friendly body. It’s especially compelling for photographers upgrading from smartphones who appreciate better optics but dislike bulky setups.

Summary Table of Strengths & Recommendations

In closing, both cameras remain noteworthy even years after launch, symbolizing different paths in photography: creative flexibility and image quality with the PEN-F, versus ease, portability, and convenience with the RX100. Whichever you choose, you’re getting a capable tool that, in my many field tests, has delivered consistently satisfying results aligned to their design philosophies.

If you'd like to see my raw test shots and specific usage anecdotes or have questions about pairing lenses with the PEN-F or optimizing JPEGs with the RX100, feel free to reach out. Photography is about capturing moments your way - the right camera is the first step.

Happy shooting!