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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1

Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38
Olympus E-500 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
Portability
65
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Key Specs

Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Boost to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Revealed October 2005
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-500
  • Later Model is Olympus E-510
Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2007
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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-500 and Panasonic L1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-500 (8MP) and the L1 (7MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-500 was manufactured 17 months earlier than the L1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-500 scores versus the L1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Panasonic L1

 E-500 L1 
Screen resolution215k207kClearer screen (+8k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Olympus E-500

 L1 E-500 
RevealedApril 2007October 2005Fresher by 17 months

Common features in the Olympus E-500 and Panasonic L1

 E-500 L1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-500 features outside measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs) and the Panasonic L1 has sizing of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-500 and Panasonic L1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-500 compared to the L1.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-500 and L1 is 70 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The graphic here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-500 and L1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Olympus E-500 to provide more detail due to its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older E-500 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-500
Portrait photography with Panasonic L1
49
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
55
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-500 Street photography features
Panasonic L1 Street photography features
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (479g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
58
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (606g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-500 Sports photography details
Panasonic L1 Sports photography details
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
41
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-500 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic L1 Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than competitors in class (479 grams)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
50
lighter than competition (606 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-500 Landscape photography features
Panasonic L1 Landscape photography features
43
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (8 megapixels)
low maximum ISO (400)
no Time Lapse recording
48
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (7MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-500 Vlogging features
Panasonic L1 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
9
no video
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Olympus E-500 vs Panasonic L1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-500 and Panasonic L1
 Olympus E-500Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-500 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1
Also called as EVOLT E-500 -
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2005-10-21 2007-04-11
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 8MP 7MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3264 x 2448 3136 x 2352
Maximum native ISO 400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 45
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 2.5"
Resolution of display 215k dot 207k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.45x 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 479g (1.06 pounds) 606g (1.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $600 $1,500