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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 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
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Successor is Olympus E-P2
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF2
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-P1 was introduced 2 months before the GF1 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-P1 scores against the GF1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic GF1

 E-P1 GF1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-P1

 GF1 E-P1 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1

 E-P1 GF1 
LaunchedJuly 2009October 2009Similar generation
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P1 offers outer measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Panasonic GF1 has dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-P1 against the GF1.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and GF1 is 86 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P1 and GF1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you really should factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography details
Panasonic GF1 Street photography details
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography advice
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
good battery life (380 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography information
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography information
43
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
59
good battery life (380 per charge)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF1
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging advice
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
25
includes face detect autofocus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus PEN E-P1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-07-29 2009-10-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
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 detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/160s
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 lb) 385 grams (0.85 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 54
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.3
DXO Low light rating 536 513
Other
Battery life 300 photos 380 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $182 $400