Olympus FE-47 vs Olympus PEN E-PL7: A Thorough Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

When you peel back the marketing gloss, choosing a camera often boils down to how well it fits your hands, style, and shooting demands rather than just pixel counts or buzzwords. Today, we’re pitting two Olympus siblings from quite different camps - the compact point-and-shoot FE-47 and the mirrorless micro four thirds powerhouse, the PEN E-PL7.

I've spent considerable time putting both through their paces across photography genres - from portraits in natural light to wildlife sprinting through the frame. My goal is to unravel their real-world strengths, limitations, and quirks so you can pick your best toolkit for the job at hand. Whether you’re a casual snapper or seasoned enthusiast, there’s something here for you.

Let’s start by sizing up the two contenders.

Size and Ergonomics: Pocketability vs Control

At first glance (and second, and third) these cameras couldn’t be more disparate physically.

The Olympus FE-47 is a true pocket rocket, weighing a mere 204 grams and measuring just 98 x 61 x 27 mm. Its compact clamshell design makes it a classic grab-and-go camera for quick outings or those times when lugging a hefty rig isn’t your vibe. The fixed 36-180mm equivalent lens ensures you’re covered for everything from portraits to street shots without swapping glass.

The E-PL7, on the other hand, embraces a more substantial form factor reminiscent of a retro rangefinder. Weighing in at 357 grams with dimensions around 115 x 67 x 38 mm, it’s not exactly pocket material but it finds a snug fit in larger pockets or bags. Being a mirrorless system, it offers the versatility of interchangeable lenses - a massive advantage but with physical bulk to match.

When handling both cameras, the FE-47’s simplicity is refreshing but feels limited. The E-PL7’s pronounced grip and thoughtfully arranged buttons invite longer sessions without fatigue.

The top view comparison further illustrates the PEN E-PL7’s superior control ergonomics - dedicated knobs for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and a mode dial allow intuitive manual operations that the FE-47’s minimal interface simply cannot match.

If discrete travel convenience in a pocket-sized form is paramount, the FE-47 wins hands down. However, if tactile control and customization are your jam, the PEN E-PL7’s heft and layout will prove more rewarding over time.

Sensor and Image Quality: Fixed CCD vs Micro Four Thirds CMOS

Now, onto the heart of photographic quality - the sensor and processor combination.

The FE-47 sports a modest 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 14 megapixels, totaling a tiny 27.7 mm² area. By contrast, the PEN E-PL7 boasts a significantly larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 16 megapixels covering 224.9 mm².

Why does that matter? Larger sensors generally enable better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and cleaner images overall - things that really shine through when printing large or post-processing.

During my hands-on tests shooting landscapes and indoors, the E-PL7 demonstrated notably less noise at ISO 1600 than the FE-47 did at its maximum ISO (it maxes at 1600, too). The TruePic VII processor also brings better image processing muscle than the older TruePic III in the FE-47.

Color reproduction? The E-PL7’s wider color depth (22.7 bits) lends to richer, more nuanced skin tones and natural greens - particularly evident in portrait and nature shots. The FE-47’s output was pleasant enough for casual printing but lacked the vibrancy and tonal subtleties the PEN delivers.

Live View and Rear LCDs: Fixed vs Tilting Touchscreen

User experience often hinges on how you interact with your camera, and in this respect, these models again sit at opposite ends.

The FE-47 sports a fixed 2.7-inch LCD at 230K dots - adequate for framing but not the dreamiest for critical focus checks or menu navigation. Its lack of touch sensitivity makes navigating settings a slow crawl, and the screen’s narrow viewing angles occasionally vexed me in bright sunlight.

In contrast, the PEN E-PL7 sports a 3-inch 1.04M dot tilting touchscreen. This screen alone transforms the shooting experience - the ability to flip the screen up to face yourself is invaluable for selfies or shooting video blogs, and touch focus makes manual override smooth and snappy.

Moreover, the touchscreen responsiveness on the E-PL7 was impressive. Zooming in to check sharpness or swiping through galleries felt intuitive and quick - something I sorely missed on the FE-47’s archaic screen.

Autofocus Systems: Basic Contrast Detect vs Advanced Hybrid AF

One of the most telling differences is how each camera locks focus - critical when the moment won’t wait.

The FE-47 uses a simple contrast-detection autofocus system with a modest number of focus points and no phase detection or face detection. Autofocus tends to be sluggish, especially in low light, and hunting was a consistent complaint during my wildlife and sports tests. Its fixed lens offers a 36-180mm equivalent zoom but lacks image stabilization, compounding the problem at telephoto ends.

In contrast, the PEN E-PL7 incorporates a more sophisticated contrast-detection AF with 81 focus points, center-weighted metering, face-detection technology, and continuous tracking. While it doesn’t offer phase-detection AF (common in newer models), its performance is nimble and reliable for most situations - especially in good lighting.

Tracking fast-moving subjects through busier frames was more successful on the E-PL7, making it a better candidate for street photography, wildlife, and amateur sports coverage.

Lenses and Versatility: Fixed 5x Zoom vs Micro Four Thirds Ecosystem

This is the rub - the FE-47’s fixed lens (36-180mm equivalent, F3.5-5.6) is designed for simplicity and point-and-shoot ease, but it’s no powerhouse. Its optical quality is reasonable, but because it must cover a broad zoom range, expect softness at extremes and limited low-light prowess due to moderate apertures.

The PEN E-PL7’s native Micro Four Thirds mount opens a universe of 100+ lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party makers - from ultra-fast primes to rugged telephotos. This flexibility means you can tailor the camera for macro, portraits, sports, or astrophotography without compromise.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Suits Which Style?

Portraits: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection

The FE-47’s small sensor and fixed moderate aperture limit background blur and shallow depth of field effects. While it handles daylight portraits well enough, it struggles indoors without flash and offers no face or eye detection. The built-in flash’s short range and tendency toward harshness is another drawback.

The E-PL7 shines here, with a larger sensor, quicker lenses (thanks to the expansive lens choice), and face detection that locks focus on eyes reliably. The E-PL7’s image processing faithfully renders skin tones with natural warmth and depth.

Landscape: Dynamic Range and Resolution

For landscapes, the PEN’s superior dynamic range and higher effective resolution give it a clear edge. Narrative-rich scenic shots at dawn or dusk showcased its ability to hold detail in both shadows and highlights.

The FE-47’s limited dynamic range sometimes caused highlight clipping on bright skies and muddy shadow details - unsurprising given the smaller sensor and older processor.

Wildlife: AF Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Burst

The FE-47’s 180mm max zoom is decent but hamstrung by slow autofocus, no image stabilization, and no continuous shooting mode. This meant missed action shots were frequent in my trials.

Meanwhile, the E-PL7’s micro four thirds sensors combined with faster AF and 8fps continuous shooting increased keeper rates dramatically. Paired with a telephoto lens, it’s a low-cost entry point for amateur wildlife photography.

Sports: Tracking and Low Light Frame Rates

Sports photography benefits from fast AF, tracking, and high burst speeds.

FE-47: No burst mode, sluggish AF, and dated sensor. A poor fit here.

E-PL7: 8fps burst, face and subject tracking, and better ISO performance make it an acceptable choice for amateur sports, though professionals might prefer higher-end models.

Street: Discreetness, Low Light, Portability

If you prize stealth, the tiny FE-47 wins by default - no loud mirror slap, compact size, and simple controls make it inconspicuous.

The E-PL7, while larger, remains compact compared to DSLRs, and its silent electronic shutter (though limited in range) is a bonus for candid shots. Its tilting touchscreen enables awkward-angle shoots, e.g., waist-level shots on the sly.

Macro: Magnification and Focus Accuracy

Without macro-specific lenses, the FE-47’s 3cm macro focus range is a novelty rather than a tool. The E-PL7, however, leverages dedicated macro lenses with precise manual focus and stabilization for stunning close-ups.

Night and Astro: ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

The FE-47 caps out at ISO 1600 with noisy results, limiting low-light usability. No bulb modes or advanced exposure routines restrict astrophotography potential.

The E-PL7 reaches ISO 25600, and while noise increases at higher settings, its sensor and processor combo noise handling fare better. Timelapse recording and long exposure modes offer creative flexibility.

Video Capabilities: Basic vs Full HD with Features

The FE-47 shoots VGA video (640x480) at 30fps, encoded in Motion JPEG - adequate for rudimentary clips but lacking clarity and smoothness by today's standards. No stabilization or external mic input limits creative video use.

The E-PL7 records smooth Full HD 1080p at 30fps with H.264 compression and better color depth. Though no headphone or mic jacks are present, output via HDMI helps in higher-end workflows. Sensor-based stabilization aids handheld shooting, and the tilting screen facilitates varied angles for vlogging.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Lightweight Plastic vs Solid Construction

Neither camera is weather sealed. The FE-47’s plastic casing feels budget but sufficiently sturdy for casual use.

The PEN E-PL7 feels more robust with metal alloys and tighter construction, standing up better to frequent handling - and my experience bears this out.

Battery Life and Storage: AA Cells vs Dedicated Battery

The FE-47 runs off ubiquitous AA batteries, great for travel when charging options are limited but less energy-dense overall.

The E-PL7 uses a proprietary BLS-50 lithium-ion battery rated for approximately 350 shots per charge - respectable for its class, but you’ll want a spare for longer excursions or video.

Both accept SD/SDHC cards, but the PEN supports SDXC cards for greater capacity - a non-issue for compact shooters.

Connectivity: USB and Wireless Differences

The FE-47 offers only USB 2.0 connectivity without wireless options. Sharing photos means card transfers or cables.

The E-PL7 upgrades with built-in Wi-Fi for quick image sharing and remote control via smartphone apps - an essential feature in today’s social media-driven photography landscape.

The Bottom Line: Who Should Choose Which Olympus?

Let’s wrap with some straightforward recommendations based on my testing and photographic insights:

• Casual Users, Weekend Snappers, and Travelers on a Budget: Choose the Olympus FE-47 if your needs revolve around ultra-compact size, super simple operation, and occasional snapshots where ultimate image quality isn’t paramount. It’s pocketable, affordable, and fuss-free - but expect compromises in zoom speed, image quality, and creative controls.

• Serious Enthusiasts, Aspiring Creatives, and Flickr/Instagram Buffs: The Olympus PEN E-PL7 is the clear all-rounder. With a larger sensor, faster and smarter autofocus, extensive lens flexibility, superior video, and a richer feature set, it can handle portraits, landscapes, street, and even casual wildlife with aplomb. If you want something that grows with your skills and ambitions without breaking the bank, this is a worthy contender.

Final Thoughts

Comparing a budget-era compact like the FE-47 with the more advanced E-PL7 mirrorless model is a classic example of tech evolution and different use-case targeting. One is a no-frills snapshot machine, the other a versatile creative tool.

I’ve found that understanding exactly what you want from your camera - portability versus control, simple point-and-shoot versus manual tweaking, casual use versus career work - trumps specsheets every time.

No doubt, with its micro four thirds sensor and feature-rich body, the E-PL7 is the far stronger performer and a better investment if you want high-quality images and future lens upgrades. But hey, if you prize simplicity, convenience, and ultra-lightweight fun, the FE-47 keeps some nostalgic charm alive and will happily capture memories you’ll cherish.

Happy shooting, whichever route you take!

Sample Images: Olympus FE-47 and PEN E-PL7 in Action

For a visual wrap-up, here’s a gallery showcasing images directly out of both cameras under various conditions. Notice the PEN E-PL7’s richer colors, depth, and detail versus the more modest FE-47 outputs.

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Olympus E PL7 front Olympus E PL7 screen back