Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic SZ7

The following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic SZ7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is very comparable but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-P2 was revealed 20 months earlier than the SZ7 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-P2 matches up versus the SZ7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-P2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-P2 Gallery and Panasonic SZ7 Gallery.

If you're going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P2 comes with physical dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic SZ7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the E-P2 and the SZ7.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-P2 and SZ7 is 86 and 95 respectively.

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through technical specs. The pic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-P2 and SZ7.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-P2 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ7 will show more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-P2 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.