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Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1R III

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2010 and July 2025. The E-PL1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the RX1R III is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-PL1) and a full frame (RX1R III) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 60.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-PL1
versus
Sony RX1R III
Olympus E-PL1   Sony RX1R III
Mirrorless system camera Fixed lens compact camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses 35mm f/2.0
12.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor 60.2 MP – Full Frame sensor
720/30p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 200-3,200 ISO 100-32,000 (50 - 102,400)
Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 2360k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationno shake reduction
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
290 shots per battery charge300 shots per battery charge
115 x 72 x 42 mm, 334 g 113 x 68 x 88 mm, 498 g
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Check E-PL1 offers at
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Check RX1R III price at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus PEN E-PL1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-PL1 and the Sony RX1R III. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PL1 can be obtained in four different colors (black, blue, yellow, white), while the RX1R III is only available in black.

Size Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1R III
Compare E-PL1 versus RX1R III top
Comparison E-PL1 or RX1R III rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony RX1R III is notably smaller (7 percent) than the Olympus E-PL1. It is noteworthy in this context that the RX1R III is splash and dust-proof, while the E-PL1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the RX1R III has a lens built in, whereas the E-PL1 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the E-PL1 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the E-PL1 gets 290 shots out of its Olympus BLS-1 battery, while the RX1R III can take 300 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack. The power pack in the RX1R III can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL1 115 mm 72 mm 42 mm 334 g 290 n Feb 2010 EUR 599ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX1R III 113 mm 68 mm 88 mm 498 g 300 Y Jul 2025 EUR 4 899 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100RF 134 mm 90 mm 77 mm 735 g 820 Y Mar 2025 EUR 5 499 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100V 128 mm 75 mm 53 mm 478 g 420 Y Feb 2020 EUR 1 499ebay.com
5.
 
Leica Q3 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 743 g 350 Y May 2023 EUR 5 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Olympus E-620 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 521 g 500 n Feb 2009 EUR 599ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-P1 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Jun 2009 EUR 699ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-P2 121 mm 70 mm 36 mm 355 g 300 n Nov 2009 EUR 699ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-P3 122 mm 69 mm 34 mm 369 g 330 n Jun 2011 EUR 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-PL2 114 mm 72 mm 42 mm 362 g 280 n Jan 2011 EUR 599ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-PL3 110 mm 64 mm 37 mm 313 g 300 n Jun 2011 EUR 549ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-PM1 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 265 g 330 n Jun 2011 EUR 449ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus XZ-2 113 mm 65 mm 48 mm 346 g 340 n Sep 2012 EUR 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G10 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 388 g 380 n Mar 2010 EUR 499ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GF2 113 mm 68 mm 33 mm 310 g 300 n Nov 2010 EUR 499ebay.com
16.
 
Sigma fp L 113 mm 70 mm 45 mm 427 g 240 Y Mar 2021 EUR 2 299 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony RX1R II 113 mm 65 mm 72 mm 507 g 220 n Oct 2015 EUR 3 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-PL1 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony RX1R III a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the RX1R III is 278 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the E-PL1 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the RX1R III offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX1R III sensor measures

With 60.2MP, the RX1R III offers a higher resolution than the E-PL1 (12.2MP), but the RX1R III has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 4.29μm for the E-PL1). Yet, the RX1R III is a much more recent model (by 15 years and 5 months) than the E-PL1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the RX1R III has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony RX1R III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the RX1R III for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 47.5 x 31.7 inches or 120.7 x 80.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 38 x 25.3 inches or 96.6 x 64.4 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 31.7 x 21.1 inches or 80.5 x 53.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-PL1 are 20.2 x 15.1 inches or 51.2 x 38.4 cm for good quality, 16.1 x 12.1 inches or 41 x 30.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.4 x 10.1 inches or 34.1 x 25.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The RX1R III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Olympus PEN E-PL1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III are ISO 100 to ISO 32000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the E-PL1 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the RX1R III uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

E-PL1 versus RX1R III MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-PL1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.148754
2.
 
Sony RX1R III Full Frame 60.2 9504 63364K/30p25.414.9341797
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100RF Medium Format 101.8 11648 87364K/30p25.915.13805101
4.
 
Fujifilm X100V APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.213.6199684
5.
 
Leica Q3 Full Frame 60.3 9528 63288K/30p25.414.7321696
6.
 
Olympus E-620 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.353655
7.
 
Olympus E-P1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.453655
8.
 
Olympus E-P2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.450556
9.
 
Olympus E-P3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.810.153651
10.
 
Olympus E-PL2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.257355
11.
 
Olympus E-PL3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.910.349952
12.
 
Olympus E-PM1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i21.010.349952
13.
 
Olympus XZ-2 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.411.321649
14.
 
Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.141152
15.
 
Panasonic GF2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i21.210.350654
16.
 
Sigma fp L Full Frame 60.2 9520 63284K/30p25.314.4300196
17.
 
Sony RX1R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53041080/60p25.813.9320497
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the RX1R III provides a better video resolution than the E-PL1. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Olympus is limited to 720/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the RX1R III has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the E-PL1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the E-PL1 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-2. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony RX1R III along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-PL1optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Sony RX1R III2360 n3.0 / 2360 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100RF5760 n3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s n n
4.
 
Fujifilm X100V3690 n3.0 / 1620 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n n
5.
 
Leica Q35760 n3.0 / 1840 tilting Y 1/2000s 15.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-620optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-P1none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
8.
 
Olympus E-P2optional n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n Y
9.
 
Olympus E-P3optional n3.0 / 614 fixed Y 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus E-PL2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Olympus E-PL3optional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
12.
 
Olympus E-PM1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
13.
 
Olympus XZ-2optional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/2000s 5.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
15.
 
Panasonic GF2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
16.
 
Sigma fp Loptional n3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony RX1R II2360 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The E-PL1 has one, while the RX1R III does not. While the built-in flash of the E-PL1 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the RX1R III is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Sony RX1R III has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The E-PL1 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the RX1R III uses SDXC cards. The RX1R III supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the E-PL1 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-PL1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony RX1R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100RFYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
4.
 
Fujifilm X100VYstereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
5.
 
Leica Q3Ystereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
6.
 
Olympus E-620Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-P1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-P2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-P3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Olympus E-PL2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Olympus E-PL3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Olympus E-PM1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Olympus XZ-2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Panasonic GF2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Sigma fp LYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y--
17.
 
Sony RX1R IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-

It is notable that the RX1R III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the E-PL1 does not provide wifi capability.

The RX1R III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the E-PL1 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the E-PL1 was succeeded by the Olympus E-PL2. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Olympus and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Olympus E-PL1 or the Sony RX1R III – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Olympus PEN E-PL1:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2010).

ilogo

Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R III:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (60.2 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 127%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
  • Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 720/30p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2360k vs 230k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the E-PL1 necessitates an extra lens.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 15 years and 5 months of technical progress since the E-PL1 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX1R III is the clear winner of the contest (26 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

E-PL1 05:26 RX1R III

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-PL1 and the Sony RX1R III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the E-PL1 and the RX1R III in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL1..86/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 EUR 599ebay.com
2.
 
Sony RX1R III............ Jul 2025 EUR 4 899 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm GFX 100RF............ Mar 2025 EUR 5 499 amazon.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100V5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Feb 2020 EUR 1 499ebay.com
5.
 
Leica Q35/5..4.5/5....4.5/5 May 2023 EUR 5 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Olympus E-6203/588/100..72/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2009 EUR 599ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-P1..+..66/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2009 EUR 699ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-P23/5+..69/1004/54.5/5 Nov 2009 EUR 699ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-P3..83/100..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 EUR 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-PL23/583/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2011 EUR 599ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-PL33/5+ +..72/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 EUR 549ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-PM1..86/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 EUR 449ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus XZ-24/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 EUR 599ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G103/5....70/1004/54/5 Mar 2010 EUR 499ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GF23/582/100..70/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2010 EUR 499ebay.com
16.
 
Sigma fp L4/5..4/5..4/54/5 Mar 2021 EUR 2 299 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony RX1R II5/5....82/100..4.5/5 Oct 2015 EUR 3 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony RX1R III

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus E-PL1 Sony RX1R III
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses 35mm f/2.0
    Launch Date February 2010 July 2025
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 5,099
    Sensor Specs Olympus E-PL1 Sony RX1R III
    Sensor Technology CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 35.7 x 23.8 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 849.66 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 42.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 60.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 pixels 9504 x 6336 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.29 μm 3.76 μm
    Pixel Density 5.42 MP/cm2 7.09 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 32,000 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 102,400 ISO
    Image Processor Truepic V BIONZ XR
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 54 ..
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.5 ..
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.1 ..
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 487 ..
    Screen Specs Olympus E-PL1 Sony RX1R III
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.7x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 2360k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Olympus E-PL1 Sony RX1R III
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/2000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/8000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationno handshake reduction
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Olympus E-PL1 Sony RX1R III
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Olympus E-PL1 Sony RX1R III
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Olympus BLS-1 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)290 shots per charge300 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging no USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42 mm
    (4.5 x 2.8 x 1.7 in)
    113 x 68 x 88 mm
    (4.4 x 2.7 x 3.5 in)
    Camera Weight 334 g (11.8 oz) 498 g (17.6 oz)
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