• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 50.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Sony A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A1 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/400 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    4 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    50.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 8.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    165 vs 24 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    155 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.

  • No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.

  • Read our Olympus E-PL7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $329
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL5

Sony A1
Olympus E-PL5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A1 vs Olympus E-PL5

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GF6

Sony A1
Panasonic GF6
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony A1 vs Panasonic GF6

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL8
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Olympus E-PL8

Sony A1
Olympus E-PL8
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A1 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Olympus E-PL7
Sony A7R IV
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony A7R IV

Sony A1
Sony A7R IV
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer video battery life
  • $3120
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A1 vs Sony A7R IV

Compared to Canon R5

Olympus E-PL7
Canon R5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Canon R5

Sony A1
Canon R5
  • $5498
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $3349
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A1 vs Canon R5

Compare Other Cameras?