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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
77
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41
Olympus E-420 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Older Model is Olympus E-410
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GF2
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-420 (10MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-420 was announced 15 months prior to the GF1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-420 grades versus the GF1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Panasonic GF1

 E-420 GF1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-420

 GF1 E-420 
IntroducedOctober 2009June 2008Newer by 15 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Panasonic GF1

 E-420 GF1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-420 has got external dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-420 vs the GF1.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and GF1 is 77 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The picture here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and GF1.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic GF1 to render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography highlights
57
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (10MP)
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than others in class (426g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography advice
39
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (500 shots)
44
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
great battery life (380 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography factors
53
lighter than others in class (426g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (500 per charge)
low MP (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
great battery life (380 CIPA)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (380 shots)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging highlights
9
no video shooting
25
features face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-420 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus E-420Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-420 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2008-06-23 2009-10-14
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426g (0.94 lb) 385g (0.85 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 54
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.3
DXO Low light rating 527 513
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 380 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $999 $400