Clicky

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 front
Portability
72
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 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
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FZ28
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-486mm (F2.8-4.4) lens
  • 417g - 118 x 75 x 89mm
  • Released January 2009
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FZ28 (10MP) is fairly close but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FZ28 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The E-PL1 was revealed 17 months later than the FZ28 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ28 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PL1 scores versus the FZ28 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FZ28

 E-PL1 FZ28 
ReleasedMay 2010January 2009More recent by 17 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ28 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FZ28 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FZ28

 E-PL1 FZ28 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 has got physical dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ28 has sizing of 118mm x 75mm x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") with a weight of 417 grams (0.92 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL1 vs the FZ28.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and FZ28 is 86 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through technical specs. The photograph here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and FZ28.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL1 using its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-PL1 will result in extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer E-PL1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FZ28 Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
35
you can focus manually
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Panasonic FZ28 Street photography info
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
56
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ28
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery pack (290 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
33
incredible zoom range (27-486mm 18.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FZ28 as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
52
built-in flash
pretty wide (27mm)
very long zoom (486mm)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ28 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
40
you can focus manually
pretty wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse function
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Panasonic FZ28
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
24
pretty wide (27mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ28 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FZ28
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-05-17 2009-01-15
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 27-486mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-4.4
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 8.50 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 @ 30 fps, 848 x 480, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 @ 30fps, 320 x 240 @ 10fps
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 gr (0.74 pounds) 417 gr (0.92 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 118 x 75 x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 27
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 17.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 10.1
DXO Low light score 487 79
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $288 $599