Sony QX1 vs Olympus PEN-F

Cameras
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Sony QX1 vs Olympus PEN-F

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APS-C 357.3mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony QX1 Review.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus PEN-F Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus PEN-F in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the PEN-F.
Compare Olympus PEN-F image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus PEN-F conclusion.

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Differences

Sony QX1 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.25 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
QX1 test data on DxO Mark PEN-F test data on DxO Mark

1,063 vs 894 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

440 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
216g vs 434g
Lighter weight

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Sony QX1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Thinner
37 mm vs 52 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 3.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
43 vs 15 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 16000 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read QX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Sony QX1.
Read our Sony QX1 Preview

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Sony QX1

Samsung NX2000

$498
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$680
APS-C

Rear display
Touchscreen

Compare Sony QX1 vs Samsung NX2000

Olympus PEN-F

Samsung NX2000

$999
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$680
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Samsung NX2000

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Sony QX1

Samsung NX3300

$498
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

$691
APS-C

Rear display
In-camera panoramas

Compare Sony QX1 vs Samsung NX3300

Olympus PEN-F

Samsung NX3300

$999
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$691
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Samsung NX3300

Compared to Ricoh GR II

Sony QX1

Ricoh GR II

$498
APS-C

Focus peaking
Longer stills battery life

$538
APS-C

Rear display
Integrated ND filter

Compare Sony QX1 vs Ricoh GR II

Olympus PEN-F

Ricoh GR II

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Ricoh GR II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony QX1

Panasonic GX85

$498
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$598
4/3

Rear display
Lens selection

Compare Sony QX1 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony QX1

Olympus E-PL8

$498
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$599
4/3

Rear display
Lens selection

Compare Sony QX1 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

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