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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FP7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 147g - 101 x 59 x 18mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic FP7, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and FP7 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FP7 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1 was announced 7 months earlier than the FP7 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP7 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-PL1 matches up vs the FP7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FP7

 E-PL1 FP7 
Focus manually More exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP7 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FP7 E-PL1 
RevealedJanuary 2011May 2010More recent by 7 months
Display size3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FP7

 E-PL1 FP7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 provides external measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FP7 has proportions of 101mm x 59mm x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic FP7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL1 compared to the FP7.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and FP7 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and FP7.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic FP7 will provide extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FP7 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
34
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Panasonic FP7
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
60
image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than others in class (147g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FP7 Sports photography highlights
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
44
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
good battery life (240 shots)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic FP7 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (290 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
63
good battery life (240 CIPA)
has touch focus
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (147g)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FP7 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery (290 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
41
screen larger than average (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
good battery life (240 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FP7 Vlogging highlights
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
29
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than others in class (147 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FP7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FP7
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Released 2010-05-17 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine IV
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 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3.5"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Touch Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 4.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 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 720 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 147 grams (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 101 x 59 x 18mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 images 240 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 type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $288 $227