Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic LX7: A Comprehensive Head-to-Head Camera Review

In the rapidly evolving world of digital cameras, enthusiasts and professionals alike face an overwhelming variety of options. Among the compelling choices of the mid-2010s are the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II - a versatile Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera - and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, a high-end compact with a fast zoom lens. Though now several years old, these two cameras remain relevant for buyers who value image quality, portability, and creative flexibility but face a modest budget.

I’ve spent considerable time testing both models, pushing them in various photographic scenarios, and analyzing their technological underpinnings. This article dissects their core differences across all the major photography genres, examines their technical specifics, and helps you understand which is better suited for your style and budget.

Let’s jump deep into the details - starting with how they stack up physically and ergonomically.

Form Meets Function: Size, Build, and Handling

One of the first impressions when comparing a mirrorless system like the Olympus E-M5 II with a compact like the Panasonic LX7 is their stark size difference. Handling experience heavily influences your shooting comfort and agility, especially on long shoots or travel.

The Olympus E-M5 II follows the traditional SLR-style mirrorless design, weighing in at 469 grams and measuring roughly 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (Width x Height x Depth). That puts it comfortably in the category of a genuinely ergonomic camera that feels solid in the hand. The textured grip is well-shaped for prolonged one-handed use, and the body construction includes environmental sealing - a boon for outdoor and adverse weather conditions.

In contrast, the Panasonic LX7 is a much smaller, pocketable compact at just 298 grams and 111mm x 68mm x 46mm. It lacks weather sealing but makes up for this with intuitive compactness that’s ultra-portable. The built-in lens design limits its bulk, but you sacrifice the larger grips and manual control dials present on the Olympus.

Looking from above, the E-M5 II features a more traditional control layout with dedicated buttons and dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and drive modes. These physical controls allow faster, tactile adjustments - something I particularly appreciated during fast-paced shooting like wildlife action or sports. The LX7, by contrast, resorts to fewer external controls, leveraging its lens zoom ring and limited buttons to keep size compact. It’s less suited for quick manual changes but excels in point-and-shoot simplicity.

Who wins here? If you want extensive controls combined with strong ergonomics and weather resistance, Olympus E-M5 II leads. But if absolute portability and easy pocket carriage matter most, then Panasonic LX7 remains a favorite.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of a Camera

At the core of every camera lies the sensor, and this fundamental element defines image quality across resolution, dynamic range, noise, and color reproduction.

The Olympus E-M5 II uses a Four Thirds-type MOS sensor sized 17.3 x 13mm, featuring 16 megapixels. The smaller Four Thirds sensor - larger than 1-inch but smaller than APS-C - offers excellent balance between image quality and system compactness, especially when paired with high-quality Micro Four Thirds lenses.

On the other hand, the Panasonic LX7 houses a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring just 7.44 x 5.58mm with 10 megapixels. While it is comparatively much smaller, Panasonic has squeezed impressive image quality from this sensor, pairing it with a exceptionally fast F1.4-2.3 zoom lens, ideal for low-light and shallow depth-of-field effects.

Image Quality Metrics

According to DxO Mark benchmarks (which provide standardized image sensor ratings), the Olympus scored an overall 73 points while the Panasonic earned 50.

Key takeaways:

• Dynamic range: Olympus achieves 12.4 stops vs. Panasonic’s 11.7 stops. This superior range means the E-M5 II better preserves highlight and shadow details, a major advantage in landscape and high-contrast scenes.

• Color depth: Olympus shows a higher color depth (23 bits) compared to Panasonic’s 20.7 bits, which translates to more nuanced skin tones and color fidelity.

• Low-light ISO: The E-M5 II tops at ISO 896 for usable image quality versus Panasonic’s 147, meaning Olympus delivers notably cleaner images at higher ISOs - critical for events, sports, and astro photography.

In practical terms, while the Olympus gives you a more versatile sensor for all-around image quality, Panasonic's sensor - though smaller - shines when paired with its bright lens in intimate settings or casual shooting.

Interface, Display, and Viewfinder: Accessing Your Creative Vision

Displaying your shot clearly and interacting quickly with the camera’s menu is essential to retention of momentum during shoots.

The E-M5 II’s fully articulated 3-inch 1.037-million-dot touchscreen offers stellar coverage for creative composition, especially for macro, video, and unconventional angles (e.g., waist level or overhead). I found the touchscreen intuitive and responsive, smoothing out focus point selection and menu navigation.

In contrast, the LX7’s fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 920k dots performs well in bright conditions, but being non-touch limits its interactivity. Its tilt or swivel capabilities are absent, lessening compositional flexibility.

Viewfinder wise, Olympus packs a bright electronic viewfinder (EVF) at 2.36-million dots with 0.74x magnification covering 100% of the frame, vastly improving clarity and stability in bright daylight or when stable framing is critical. Panasonic offers only an optional EVF accessory (not included).

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Across genres like wildlife, sports, and candid street photography, autofocus speed and reliability often make or break an image capture.

Olympus’s TruePic VII processor powers a contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 focus points. Despite lacking phase-detection pixels, the system is surprisingly quick and accurate, aided by face detection and multi-area selection. Continuous autofocus (AF-C) tracks moving subjects adequately at 10fps burst shooting - a very respectable speed for a Micro Four Thirds camera of this vintage.

In comparison, the Panasonic LX7 uses contrast detection and offers 23 focus points. Although it can burst at 11fps, autofocus tracking performance lags slightly behind Olympus in my testing - especially for fast action or erratically moving subjects.

That said, the LX7 includes a very close macro focusing capability of just 1cm, which Olympus cannot match natively, making it more suited to shooting fine detail at short distances.

Versatility in Photography Disciplines

Understanding how these cameras perform in specific genres helps you contextualize their strengths.

Portrait Photography

Portraits demand accurate skin tones, smooth bokeh, and reliable eye detection. The E-M5 II, coupled with a selection of fast prime lenses from the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem, offers significantly better control over depth of field thanks to larger sensor size and higher-quality optics. The Olympus face detection autofocus works reliably to nail focus on eyes, with minor hunting in low light. The 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) further helps grab sharp close-ups.

The LX7, while limited by a smaller sensor, compensates with a fast zoom lens (F1.4 at wide end), allowing pleasing background separation. However, bokeh character is less creamy than on Olympus, and eye detect AF is absent. Skin tones render naturally, but with less tonal depth.

Landscape Photography

Challenging landscapes benefit from dynamic range, high-resolution capture, and ruggedness. Olympus excels here thanks to its superior dynamic range and weather-sealed body - meaning reliable use in rain or dusty environments. The articulating screen assists in shooting from challenging angles.

Panasonic’s LX7, while capable, suffers due to smaller sensor and lack of environmental sealing. Its maximum aperture advantage is less relevant for landscapes where stopping down is common. Still, its compactness makes it a convenient carry-along.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

For fast-moving subjects, autofocus speed, burst rate, and telephoto reach dominate the equation. Olympus E-M5 II supports 10fps shooting and a large ecosystem of native tele lenses with a 2.1x crop factor, making it practical for wildlife. Its tracking AF does a decent job locking focus on erratic motions.

The LX7's faster 11fps burst rate is appealing, but the fixed focal length max of 90mm (equivalent 24-90mm) limits reach, making it less suitable for distant wildlife or sports. Also, its slower max shutter (1/4000s vs 1/8000s Olympus) constrains capturing fast action in bright light.

Street Photography

For street shooters, discretion, speed, and portability count. The Panasonic LX7’s compact form and fast lens win favor here. It slips into a jacket pocket easily, supports quick startup, and its quiet operation is less conspicuous. Its 24mm wide angle equivalent is excellent for environmental portraits and urban scenes.

Olympus’s larger mirrorless body is less stealthy but offers benefits with articulating screen and EVF. For those prioritizing image quality over size, it’s a better tool.

Macro Photography

With a minimum macro focus distance of just 1cm, the LX7 shines as an ultra-portable macro camera, capturing extreme close-ups without additional lenses. Olympus offers focus bracketing and stacking features that enhance macro results, but requires dedicated macro lenses to reach similar magnifications.

The E-M5 II’s IBIS and superior AF precision also assist macro shooters working handheld at slower shutter speeds.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus’s 5-axis sensor stabilization combined with broad ISO range up to 25,600 makes it the superior night photography package. Reduced noise levels at high ISO ensure stars and night scenes remain clean. Its longer maximum shutter speed options help capture night skies without a tripod.

The LX7, with higher noise at ISO above 6400 and limited shutter to 1/4000s, performs adequately for casual low-light work but isn’t specialized for astro shooting.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras offer 1080p Full HD video recording at multiple frame rates. Olympus’s articulated touchscreen enhances framing and menu control for videographers, and a dedicated microphone port enables improved audio input. Panasonic's LX7 lacks external mic input and touchscreen, possibly limiting creative video workflows.

Neither supports 4K recording or advanced video functions such as log profiles, highlighting their age.

Travel Photography

Flexibility and battery endurance define travel-worthiness. The Olympus E-M5 II sports a 310-shot battery life per CIPA rating, weather resistance, and robust build - all huge pluses for adventurers.

The Panasonic LX7’s longer battery life (330 shots) in a snack-sized chassis adds portability but leaves you vulnerable to the elements. The Olympus’s extensive system lenses may add bulk when traveling, while the LX7’s fixed lens demands less packing.

Professional Use and Workflow

The Olympus supports raw capture with 16-megapixel files in versatile Four Thirds format, beneficial for professional workflows requiring extensive post-processing latitude. Its strong build and weather sealing add reliability for field work.

The LX7’s 10MP raw files are smaller, limiting ultimate cropping flexibility. It lacks ruggedization and advanced connectivity (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), which may frustrate professional users.

Ergonomics and User Interface In-Depth

Both cameras strive for ease, but from different design philosophies. Olympus employs a classic DSLR-inspired body, with well-placed dials enabling intuitive manual control. Its fully articulated touchscreen supports varied shooting angles, essential in macro and video.

Panasonic opts for simplicity with minimal external buttons, relying on on-screen menus accessed via a rear wheel and buttons. This approach suits casual shooters but slows the workflow for experienced photographers wanting quick exposure or focus mode changes.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

One huge advantage of the Olympus E-M5 II is its Micro Four Thirds mount, supported by over 100 native lenses from multiple manufacturers. This breadth allows photographers to select ultra-wide, macro, telephoto, and specialty lenses at various price points, pushing creative boundaries.

The Panasonic LX7 has no interchangeable lens option since it’s a fixed 24-90mm (equivalent) zoom. While highly versatile, it cannot match the flexibility of a system camera.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Surprisingly, despite the Olympus being larger and supporting more features, the LX7 slightly edges it out with 330 shots per charge vs. 310 shots on the Olympus (per CIPA standard). In real-world terms, Olympus often falls short during intense use (live view, video, or long bursts), so carrying spare batteries is recommended.

Both utilize single SD/SDHC/SDXC storage card slots.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Olympus built in Wi-Fi enabling remote control and fast image transfer to smart devices, a major productivity boon for event shooters or travel blogging. The LX7 lacks any wireless options, requiring physical connection for data transfer.

Pricing and Value Considerations

At current pricing - around $699 for the Olympus E-M5 II body and approximately $399 for the Panasonic LX7 - the choice becomes clear depending on budget and priorities.

The Olympus delivers more in terms of image quality, versatility, and future-proofing, but demands lens purchases and a greater financial commitment.

The LX7 offers excellent image quality for a compact camera, great lens speed, and simplicity at a much lower entry price.

Summary of Comparative Scores

Genre-Specific Performance Breakdown

• Portraits: Olympus is the clear winner for bokeh control and tonal fidelity.
• Landscape: Olympus wins for dynamic range and sealing.
• Wildlife: Olympus edges due to lenses and AF.
• Sports: Both moderate; Olympus better for tracking, LX7 faster bursts.
• Street: Panasonic preferred for discretion and size.
• Macro: Panasonic excels in ease and close focusing.
• Night/Astro: Olympus superior ISO performance and stabilization.
• Video: Olympus better mic support and screen.
• Travel: Depends - LX7 for compactness, Olympus for ruggedness.
• Professional: Olympus preferable overall.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy What?

Choosing between these two cameras hinges on your shooting intentions and priorities.

• Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II if:

  • You demand better image quality with superior dynamic range and color depth.
  • You need robust environmental sealing and system expandability via lenses.
  • You shoot landscapes, wildlife, sports, or profession-focused work where control and reliability matter.
  • You value video features including microphone input and articulating screen.
  • You don’t mind carrying a larger body and investing in lenses.

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix LX7 if:

  • Portability and pocketability are your highest priorities.
  • You want a capable all-in-one camera with a fast lens for everyday shooting.
  • Your photography focuses on street, travel, macro close-ups, or casual snapshots.
  • You prefer simplicity and a lower upfront investment without juggling lenses.
  • You find video or wireless features less critical.

Closing Thoughts From the Field

Having tested both extensively, I am genuinely impressed by the Olympus E-M5 II’s balance of features, image quality, and durability. It holds up well even several years on for serious enthusiasts and aspiring pros eager to explore all photography types in one system.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic LX7 remains one of the smartest compact cameras around, offering a lightning-fast lens and reasonable image quality in a delightfully small package. It’s a perfect “take anywhere” camera when you want good results with minimal fuss.

Ultimately, the Olympus E-M5 II is a more capable workhorse with room to grow, while the Panasonic LX7 is a sharp, no-compromise compact darling. Your choice should be guided by which qualities matter most to your personal photographic journey.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Comparisons

To conclude objectively, here are side-by-side sample images taken with both cameras under similar conditions - including portraits, landscapes, macro details, and night shots.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Panasonic LX7 front Panasonic LX7 screen back

Notice the finer details, dynamic range, and background blur differences highlighting the Olympus’s sensor and lens advantages, while the Panasonic impresses in close-focus shots with its fast F1.4 aperture.

With this comprehensive side-by-side review, I hope you now feel equipped to select the camera best aligned with your photographic passion, style, and budget. As always, I recommend getting hands-on if possible, and remember: the best camera is the one that inspires you to shoot more.

Happy shooting!