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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Announced May 2010
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

The following is a complete overview of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was manufactured 2 months before the FZ40 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL1 grades versus the FZ40 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-PL1 FZ40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-PL1

 FZ40 E-PL1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FZ40

 E-PL1 FZ40 
RevealedMay 2010July 2010Similar age
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 comes with physical measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PL1 versus the FZ40.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and FZ40 is 86 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and FZ40.

As you have seen, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic FZ40 will offer extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography info
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
46
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography details
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography info
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
51
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
23
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
heavier than competition in class (494 grams)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-05-17 2010-07-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Venus Engine HD II
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 9.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 494g (1.09 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $288 $420