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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • New Model is Olympus E-P2
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FS15, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is pretty similar but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and FS15 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

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The E-P1 was manufactured 7 months after the FS15 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-P1 matches up against the FS15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FS15

 E-P1 FS15 
RevealedJuly 2009January 2009Newer by 7 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus E-P1

 FS15 E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FS15

 E-P1 FS15 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 has got external measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Panasonic FS15 has measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FS15 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-P1 versus the FS15.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and FS15 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specifications. The image underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P1 and FS15.

To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The E-P1 offers the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field easier. The younger E-P1 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography features
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-P1
Street photography with Panasonic FS15
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography features
Panasonic FS15 Travel photography features
43
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (300 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography details
60
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
Vlogging with Panasonic FS15
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone port
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2009-07-29 2009-01-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 29-145mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 355 gr (0.78 lbs) 136 gr (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $182 $180