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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX48, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FX48 (12MP) is very similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FX48 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was launched 16 months after the FX48 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the E-PL1 grades vs the FX48 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FX48

 E-PL1 FX48 
ReleasedMay 2010January 2009Newer by 16 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FX48 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX48

 E-PL1 FX48 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1 comes with outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic FX48 has specifications of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX48 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1 vs the FX48.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and FX48 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and FX48.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical resolution but different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 uses the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallower DOF easier. The more recent E-PL1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
27
includes face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography features
Panasonic FX48 Street photography features
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery power (290 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Panasonic FX48
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (290 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
58
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography features
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
33
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
Panasonic FX48 Vlogging features
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone port
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FX40
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-05-17 2009-01-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/3000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lbs) 150g (0.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $288 $325