Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20
86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
44
71 Imaging
39 Features
34 Overall
37
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs
(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
- Launched July 2009
- Successor is Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
- 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
- Introduced July 2012
- Later Model is Panasonic LZ30
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview
Here, we are contrasting the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic LZ20, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the E-P1 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizing.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe E-P1 was introduced 4 years before the LZ20 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-P1 matches up versus the LZ20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-P1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-P1 Gallery & Panasonic LZ20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Panasonic LZ20
| E-P1 | LZ20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More exact focus |
Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-P1
| LZ20 | E-P1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | July 2012 | July 2009 | More modern by 36 months | |
| Display resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Panasonic LZ20
| E-P1 | LZ20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display measurement | |
| Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison
For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P1 features outside measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has dimensions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-P1 versus Panasonic LZ20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-P1 vs the LZ20.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P1 and LZ20 is 86 and 71 respectively.
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The image underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P1 and LZ20.
All in all, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-P1 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic LZ20 will resolve greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The more aged E-P1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Photography GlossaryStreet Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneSports Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banTravel Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsLandscape Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesVlogging Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
Olympus E-P1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-P1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-P1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2009-07-29 | 2012-07-18 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-like (bridge) |
| 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 surface area | 224.9mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
| Max enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | - | 25-525mm (21.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | - | f/3.1-5.8 |
| Macro focus range | - | 2cm |
| Total lenses | 107 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of screen | 230k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Screen LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 15 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.80 m |
| Flash modes | 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 | ||
| Fastest flash sync | 1/180 secs | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 355g (0.78 lbs) | 499g (1.10 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") |
| 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 |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-1 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch cost | $182 | $250 |