• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Canon SD3500 IS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
    3.0 fps vs 0.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SD3500 IS advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.53 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD3500 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD3500 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Olympus E-PL1
Canon SD980 IS
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Canon SD980 IS

Canon SD3500 IS
Canon SD980 IS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SD3500 IS vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Canon SD3500 IS
Olympus E-P2
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SD3500 IS vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Canon SD3500 IS
Olympus E-PL2
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD3500 IS vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Canon SD3500 IS
Olympus E-P3
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD3500 IS vs Olympus E-P3

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