• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7 advantages over Olympus E-PL10

  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL10 advantages over Sony A7

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $549* vs $819
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL10

Review Excerpt

  • Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Very high resolution; Hybrid autofocus is reasonably fast and confident; Significantly better burst-shooting performance than A7R; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Faster x-sync than A7R; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.

  • Grass-is-greener syndrome when compared to its higher-res sibling; Moderate performance; Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Weak low-light autofocus considering its price; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R

Sony A7
Sony A7R
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1000
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
Olympus E-PL10
Sony A7R
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony A7
Sony A7 II
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL10
Sony A7 II
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PL10
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Sony A7
Panasonic GX850
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-PL10
Panasonic GX850
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • Wider angle kit lens

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Sony A7
Olympus E-PL9
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL10
Olympus E-PL9
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
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