• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon SX1 IS advantages over Olympus E-PL5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

Olympus E-PL5 advantages over Canon SX1 IS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.69 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.22 vs 0.59 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 3.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality with good color and dynamic range; Great high ISO performance for its class; Extremely speedy performer, with fast and accurate autofocus on stationary subjects; Lightweight, compact and ergonomic design; Touchscreen LCD that tilts all the way forward for taking self portraits; Tons of advanced functions and customizable options.

  • Confusing and frustrating menu system takes hours to master; AF isn't optimal for taking fast-motion action shots; LCD viewfinding suffers under direct sunlight; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included).

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX10 IS

Canon SX1 IS
Canon SX10 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • HDMI out
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-PL5
Canon SX10 IS
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony DSC-HX1

Canon SX1 IS
Sony DSC-HX1
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Olympus E-PL5
Sony DSC-HX1
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 1/2.4 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon SX20 IS

Canon SX1 IS
Canon SX20 IS
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-PL5
Canon SX20 IS
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Canon SX1 IS
Panasonic GF6
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL5
Panasonic GF6
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Better color depth
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Canon SX1 IS
Olympus E-PL7
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL5
Olympus E-PL7
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
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