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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FX78
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 100 x 55 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX77
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX78, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FX78 (12MP) is very close but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FX78 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was announced 8 months before the FX78 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX78 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-PL1 scores vs the FX78 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FX78

 E-PL1 FX78 
Manual focus More exact focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX78 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FX78 E-PL1 
RevealedJanuary 2011May 2010Newer by 8 months
Display dimension3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX78

 E-PL1 FX78 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 has got exterior measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic FX78 has sizing of 100mm x 55mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX78 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 vs the FX78.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and FX78 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The image here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and FX78.

All in all, both the cameras posses the exact same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 uses the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier. The more aged E-PL1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX78
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Street photography camera
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,400 seconds)
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FX78 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery life (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
56
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
missing Timelapse function
low battery pack (200 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FX78 Landscape photography details
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
36
pretty wide (24mm)
big screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
low battery pack (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
Panasonic FX78 Vlogging details
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
33
pretty wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FX78 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FX78
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FX77
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-05-17 2011-01-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine FHD
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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
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 - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1400 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 142g (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 100 x 55 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 photographs 200 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $288 $210