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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 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
  • Released July 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P2
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Succeeded the Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FZ300, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and FZ300 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-P1 was manufactured 7 years earlier than the FZ300 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-P1 scores versus the FZ300 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic FZ300

 E-P1 FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus E-P1

 FZ300 E-P1 
LaunchedJuly 2015July 2009More modern by 72 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FZ300

 E-P1 FZ300 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P1 enjoys outer measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ300 has sizing of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic FZ300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-P1 and the FZ300.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and FZ300 is 86 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by seeing specifications. The image here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P1 and FZ300.

Plainly, the two cameras provide the same megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-P1 has the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallow DOF less difficult. The more aged E-P1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ300
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
46
focusing manually
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography details
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography details
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
59
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
features touch to focus
environment proofing
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (691g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography factors
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery power (300 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery pack (380 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P1
Travel photography with Panasonic FZ300
43
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
59
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
environment proofing
features touch to focus
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
heavier than others in class (691g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ300
60
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
52
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-P1
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ300
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
62
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic port
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than others in class (691g)
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-07-29 2015-07-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 49
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lbs) 691 gr (1.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 380 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $182 $598