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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P2
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX40
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FX48, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and FX48 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-P1 was announced 7 months later than the FX48 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-P1 scores versus the FX48 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FX48

 E-P1 FX48 
ReleasedJuly 2009January 2009More recent by 7 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus E-P1

 FX48 E-P1 

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FX48

 E-P1 FX48 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 has external dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FX48 has measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FX48 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-P1 compared to the FX48.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and FX48 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and FX48.

Clearly, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-P1 provides the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF easier. The newer E-P1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX48
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
27
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FX48 Sports photography advice
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Travel photography camera
43
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
58
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography information
Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography information
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
33
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
Vlogging with Panasonic FX48
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Also called as - Lumix DMC-FX40
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-07-29 2009-01-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/3000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lbs) 150 grams (0.33 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $182 $325