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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FX550
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic FX580, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FX580 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FX580 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was brought out 16 months later than the FX580 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL1 scores against the FX580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FX580

 E-PL1 FX580 
AnnouncedMay 2010January 2009More recent by 16 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FX580 E-PL1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX580

 E-PL1 FX580 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 provides exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic FX580 has proportions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic FX580 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 against the FX580.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and FX580 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The visual here should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and FX580.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL1 has the larger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field easier. The more modern E-PL1 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography info
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
26
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
Street photography with Panasonic FX580
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FX580 as a Sports photography camera
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery (290 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Panasonic FX580
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low battery (290 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
58
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX580 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery (290 per charge)
no Timelapse recording
36
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic FX580 Vlogging advice
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX580
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FX550
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-05-17 2009-01-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 334g (0.74 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $288 $499