Sony RX10 vs Olympus E-PL7

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Sony RX10 vs Olympus E-PL7

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX10 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX10.
Compare Sony RX10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX10 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL7 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-PL7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL7.
Compare Olympus E-PL7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-PL7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony RX10 II
Compare RX10 vs RX10 II

Succeeded by the Olympus E-PL8
Compare E-PL7 vs E-PL8

Compare SONY RX10 II vs OLYMPUS E-PL8

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Differences

Sony RX10 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

420 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/3200 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 8.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Sony RX10

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 2.41 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
~0.50 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
E-PL7 test data on DxO Mark RX10 test data on DxO Mark

873 vs 474 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
38 mm vs 102 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.16 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster RAW shooting
8.7 fps vs 6.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX10 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL7 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Smaller than SLR/CSC with comparable lenses; Larger sensor than other bridge cameras; SLR-like body without the hassle of changing lenses; Weather-sealed; Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture; Generous zoom range; Great viewfinder; Swift performance; Plenty of enthusiast-friendly features including raw shooting; Wi-Fi and NFC wireless sharing.
Expensive compared to other bridge cameras; Menus respond slowly after burst shooting; Lens doesn't zoom very quickly; High ISO performance doesn't quite match RX100 II.
Read our Sony RX10 Review

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 Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony RX10 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Olympus E-PL7

Panasonic FZ1000

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Sony RX10

Olympus E-PL5

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$329
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Sony RX10

Panasonic GF6

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$400
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 vs 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

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$698
1 inch

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$899
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony RX10 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-PL7

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II

$698
1 inch

Less expensive

$998
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony RX10 vs Sony RX10 II

Olympus E-PL7

Sony RX10 II

$399
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL7 vs Sony RX10 II

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