• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Nikon D7000

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    482g vs 1234g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon D7000 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,167 vs 487 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1050 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    158 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Better than average noise vs. detail handling at high ISOs; Very good dynamic range in JPEGs, excellent in RAW files; Lots of high-end features in a relatively compact body; 6 fps burst mode.

  • Viewfinder not as accurate as specified; Viewfinder doesn't show ISO unless adjusting; No live histogram in Live View mode; No phase-detect Live View AF mode.

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
Nikon D7000
Olympus E-P2
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 60D

Olympus E-PL1
Canon 60D
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon D7000
Canon 60D
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D7000
Olympus E-PL2
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon D7000
Olympus E-P3
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-5 II

Olympus E-PL1
Pentax K-5 II
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D7000
Pentax K-5 II
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
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