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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P2
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FS12, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is fairly similar but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P1 was revealed 4 months later than the FS12 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-P1 scores versus the FS12 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FS12

 E-P1 FS12 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus E-P1

 FS12 E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FS12

 E-P1 FS12 
RevealedJuly 2009April 2009Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P1 offers outer dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic FS12 has sizing of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FS12 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-P1 versus the FS12.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and FS12 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and FS12.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-P1 uses the larger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF simpler.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
21
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography factors
Panasonic FS12 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P1
Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
43
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Landscape photography camera
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FS12 Vlogging factors
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2009-07-29 2009-04-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 31-124mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lb) 129 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $182 $228