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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Superseded the Olympus E-3
Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2007
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic L1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and L1 (7MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was revealed 3 years after the L1 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-5 scores against the L1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic L1

 E-5 L1 
LaunchedFebruary 2011April 2007More modern by 47 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k207kCrisper display (+713k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Olympus E-5

 L1 E-5 

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic L1

 E-5 L1 
Focus manually More precise focus
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 enjoys outer dimensions of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic L1 has proportions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic L1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-5 versus the L1.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and L1 is 58 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-5 and L1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Olympus E-5 to resolve more detail because of its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 Portrait photography info
Panasonic L1 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
MP count low (7MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography factors
Panasonic L1 Street photography factors
71
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (606 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography features
Panasonic L1 Sports photography features
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (7 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography information
Panasonic L1 Travel photography information
56
environment proofing
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
50
lighter than others (606g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic L1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (7 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging info
Panasonic L1 Vlogging info
64
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
has external microphone socket
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic L1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic L1
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-02-03 2007-04-11
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic V+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 7 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 3136 x 2352
Highest native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 3
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 45
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.5"
Display resolution 920 thousand dots 207 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lbs) 606 grams (1.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots Two One
Retail cost $1,700 $1,500