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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 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
  • Announced May 2010
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Updated by Panasonic GF2
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1 was released 8 months later than the GF1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL1 matches up against the GF1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic GF1

 E-PL1 GF1 
IntroducedMay 2010October 2009Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-PL1

 GF1 E-PL1 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GF1

 E-PL1 GF1 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 has got 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 GF1 has dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GF1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 and the GF1.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and GF1 is 86 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL1 and GF1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you should consider the production date of the cameras into account. The newer E-PL1 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography factors
Panasonic GF1 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography features
44
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
better than average battery (380 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography information
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (290 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
59
better than average battery (380 shots)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography info
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography info
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (290 shots)
no Time Lapse function
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging info
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging info
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
25
features face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2010-05-17 2009-10-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Truepic V Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 385g (0.85 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 54
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 10.3
DXO Low light rating 487 513
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 380 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $288 $400