Olympus E-450 vs Olympus E-1

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus E-450 and the Olympus E-1, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus E-450 was introduced in March 2009 and Olympus E-1 was introduced in November 2003. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus E-450 Highlights

      • 10.0 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      Olympus E-1 Highlights

      • 5 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 1.8" 134k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-450 and Olympus E-1.

      PROS

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Environmental Sealing

      CONS

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 5 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

      Advantage of Olympus E-450

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-450 over Olympus E-1.

      Olympus E-450 vs Olympus E-1
      Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 5 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 2560 x 1920
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 134k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Built-in Flash vs
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Lighter 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz) vs 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-450.

      Advantage of Olympus E-1

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-1 over Olympus E-450.

      Olympus E-450 vs Olympus E-1
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 3,200
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 100%
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.46x vs 0.48x
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-1.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      WEAKNESSES Olympus E-450 Olympus E-1
        No Video Capture
        Small SensorMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
        Low Resolution Sensor10.0 Megapixel5 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO1,6003,200
        Timelapse Recording
        Few Focus Points33
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot134k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.5 fps3.0 fps
        No HDMI Output
        No Built-in Microphone
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus E-450 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Olympus E-1 has a 1.8" screen with 134k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Olympus E-450 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderOlympus E-1 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Olympus E-450 has 95% coverage with 0.92x (0.46x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Olympus E-1 has 100% coverage with 0.96x (0.48x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Olympus E-450 features a 10.0 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 1,600. Olympus E-1 features a 5 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Olympus E-450 is equipped with TruePic III processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios. Olympus E-1 can take pictures up to 2560 x 1920 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Four Thirds lens mount. Due to their Micro Four Thirds sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Olympus E-450 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Olympus E-1 nothing can be done. On Olympus E-1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Olympus E-450 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus E-450 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot. Olympus E-1 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Olympus E-1 has Type: Electronically controlled focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-450, and up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-1. Olympus E-450 can shoot continuously up to 3.5 fps. Olympus E-1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Olympus E-450 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 12.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash. Olympus E-1 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus E-450 body has dimensions of 130 x 91 x 53 mm (5.12 x 3.58 x 2.09") and Olympus E-1 body has dimensions of 141 x 104 x 81 mm (5.55 x 4.09 x 3.19"). Olympus E-450 weighs 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz) and Olympus E-1 weighs 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz).

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      130 mm

      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      141 mm

      104 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      91 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      104 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      53 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      81 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Olympus E-450 and Olympus E-1

      Olympus E-450 and Olympus E-1 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      48
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      POOR
      54
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Street Photography

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      79
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus E-450 and Olympus E-1 and give them scores of 54 and 53 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      OVERALL
      54
      OVERALL
      53

      Sensor

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 5 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      POOR
      53
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      POOR
      51
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      GOOD
      78
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus E-450

      Olympus E-1

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 426 g (0.94 lb / 15.03 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 500 shots
      GOOD
      78
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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