• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Sony QX1

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Sony QX1 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.8 vs 21.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,063 vs 487 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    16000 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 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
  • 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

The Competition

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
Sony QX1
Olympus E-P2
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony QX1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sony QX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Olympus E-PL1
Samsung NX2000
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Olympus E-PL1
Samsung NX3300
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $691
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $691
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
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