Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7: An Exhaustive Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

Selecting a camera in today’s expansive market of mirrorless and compact systems demands nuanced understanding, especially when juxtaposing cameras from different segments. The Olympus PEN E-PL1, an entry-level mirrorless with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, a high-end compact camera, exemplify such a cross-category comparison. This analysis dissects their features, strengths, and compromises through a comprehensive, hands-on lens - grounded in technical metrics and practical photographic application.

Physical Dimensions and Handling: Compactness vs. Ergonomics

An initial evaluation of size, weight, and control ergonomics reveals vastly different design philosophies. The Olympus E-PL1 adopts a rangefinder-style mirrorless body, slightly larger but with greater manual control potential. Conversely, the Panasonic LX7 prioritizes portability and compactness typical of advanced compacts.

• Olympus E-PL1: Measures 115 x 72 x 42 mm and weighs 334g; its larger footprint allows for better grip stability and accommodates traditional interchangeable lenses.
• Panasonic LX7: Smaller at 111 x 68 x 46 mm and lighter at 298g; optimized for street and travel photographers valuing stealth and convenience.

Both cameras employ fixed LCDs, but their control layouts differ markedly, examined further below. The Olympus’s mirrorless form factor facilitates lens interchangeability but results in a bulkier carry package. The LX7’s compactness is ideal for spontaneous shooting situations but limits lens versatility.

Top Panel and Control Layout: Interface Functionality

Beyond dimensions, a camera’s usability hinges on the intuitiveness and responsiveness of its controls. Ergonomics influence shooting efficiency, particularly when capturing fast-paced imagery.

• E-PL1 features traditional dials and buttons: A top mode dial offers POV flexibility between program, priority modes, and manual exposure; navigational wheels enable exposure compensation and menu navigation.
• LX7 utilizes a control ring around the lens for aperture adjustment, supplementing external exposure dials. Its compact form, however, limits physical button count leading to more reliance on menu navigation.

While the LX7’s design supports quick aperture changes during stills and video, the Olympus’s dedicated dials convey greater operational precision ideal for controlled shooting environments. The choice reflects user preference between tactile controls (E-PL1) and streamlined interfaces (LX7).

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size, Resolution, and Output

The heart of any camera remains its sensor. Comparing a Four Thirds sensor to a 1/1.7” compact sensor involves significant differences in potential image quality, noise handling, and resolution.

Technical Interpretation:

• The Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor, substantially larger, offers inherently better photon capture, resulting in improved color fidelity and noise characteristics at base ISO, as confirmed by its higher color depth and DxO low light ISO scores.
• The LX7 compensates with a bright fixed zoom lens (f/1.4–2.3) and higher ISO ceiling; this permits superior low-light exposure flexibility but with inherently greater noise due to smaller sensor size.
• Panasonic’s sensor shows a slight advantage in dynamic range, beneficial in landscape or high-contrast scenes.

Practical Impact:

Landscape and portrait photographers valuing fine detail and color accuracy will find Olympus’s bigger sensor advantageous, especially under controlled lighting or lower ISO settings. While LX7’s sensor lags in noise handling, its fast lens mitigates this by allowing reduced sensitivity in dim conditions.

Rear LCD Screens and Live View Usability

Screen quality is vital for framing and menu interaction, especially with both cameras lacking built-in viewfinders.

• E-PL1 sports a 2.7-inch fixed HyperCrystal LCD with 230k dots - modest resolution by current standards, resulting in less sharp live view images and less confidence in critical focusing.
• LX7 improves with a 3-inch TFT LCD boasting a 920k dot resolution, facilitating clearer image review and manual focus adjustments.

The higher-resolution screen on the LX7 aids in discerning fine focus and exposure nuances, enhancing handheld shooting reliability. Olympus’s lower-resolution screen is a drawback for video and precision manual focus work.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus performance critically shapes real-world usability across photography disciplines.

• Olympus E-PL1 employs contrast detection autofocus with 11 focus points, including face detection but lacks sophisticated subject tracking like animal eye AF.
• Panasonic LX7 features 23 contrast-detection AF points and face detection, optimized by Venus Engine processing for quicker acquisition.

Operational testing reveals:

• The LX7’s increased number of focus points and faster continuous shooting (11 fps vs. 3 fps) benefits wildlife and sports photographers capturing unpredictable subjects.
• The E-PL1’s slower 3 fps burst rate and limited AF point coverage constrain its performance in action scenarios but suffice for portraits and static subjects.
• Both cameras rely on contrast detection AF exclusively; neither offers phase detection, limiting autofocus speed compared to modern mirrorless standards.

Autofocus tracking algorithms in the LX7 are noticeably more responsive, aiding follow-focus in run-and-gun environments. The Olympus provides decent face detection accuracy in well-lit conditions but can falter under challenging lighting.

Lens Ecosystem and Optical Capabilities

A decisive differentiator lies in lens versatility and optical quality.

• Olympus PEN E-PL1 uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, compatible with a vast array of 107 Olympus and Panasonic lenses ranging from ultra wide-angle to super-telephoto.
• Panasonic LX7 features a fixed Leica-branded 24-90mm equivalent zoom with an exceptionally bright maximum aperture (f/1.4-2.3).

This contrast dictates workflow:

• E-PL1’s interchangeable lens system allows tailored setups for macro, wildlife telephoto, or astrophotography, extending the camera’s versatility substantially.
• LX7 trades lens interchangeability for optical quality baked into a compact form factor, with the added benefit of close 1cm macro focusing and very fast aperture - a rare combination in compacts.

Professionals needing specialized optics will gravitate towards Olympus. Meanwhile, enthusiasts desiring a high-quality, one-lens solution for travel or street photography find the LX7’s lens compelling.

Continuous Shooting Speed and Buffer

In dynamic shooting contexts like sports or wildlife, burst rates and buffer depth are key performance indicators.

With over three times the burst speed, LX7 outpaces the E-PL1 in capturing fast sequences, though buffer depth remains modest. Olympus’s slower shutter ceiling at 1/2000 s versus LX7’s 1/4000 s limits capability in bright conditions or fast aperture usage.

Photographers requiring rapid frame capture under action conditions will favor the LX7, while the E-PL1's burst speed is only adequate for casual sports or candid moments.

Video Recording Capabilities

Video has become an integral part of many workflows. Analyzing each camera's offerings:

• Olympus E-PL1 supports 1280x720 (HD) video at 30 fps, encoded in Motion JPEG format, lacking advanced compression and limiting recording length.
• Panasonic LX7 records Full HD 1080p at multiple frame rates up to 60 fps, with MPEG-4 and AVCHD compression, offering better quality and more flexible video settings.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, restricting sound recording options. The LX7's video functionality generally outperforms the Olympus in resolution and frame rate versatility, fitting for vloggers and videographers needing higher definition and smooth motion capture.

Battery Performance and Storage Options

Efficiency and storage impact extended shooting sessions.

• E-PL1 uses the BLS-1 battery delivering approximately 290 shots per charge.
• LX7 has a marginally better rated capacity at about 330 shots.

Both support SD/SDHC cards, with the LX7 additionally compatible with SDXC storage and offering internal memory as a backup.

Neither camera supports USB charging; users must carry a dedicated charger, noteworthy for travelers.

Weather Sealing and Durability

Neither camera is weather-sealed, dustproof, or shock-resistant, limiting rugged outdoor use, especially in demanding environments such as wildlife or landscape photography.

Comprehensive Genre-Specific Performance Review

Utilizing detailed scoring metrics, we evaluate each camera in key photography types relevant to enthusiasts and professionals.

• Portraiture: Olympus leads with superior color depth and sensor size delivering better skin tone rendition and bokeh quality with fast prime lenses. LX7’s fast lens aids low light but shallower sensor limits out-of-focus smoothness.
• Landscape: Olympus’s dynamic range and resolution advantage favors detailed landscape imagery. LX7’s smaller sensor trades resolution in exchange for portability.
• Wildlife: LX7’s fast continuous shooting and lens-focal length flexibility win here; inability to change lenses on LX7 limits extreme telephoto usage.
• Sports: Similar to wildlife, LX7’s 11 fps bursts and faster shutter speed outperform E-PL1’s more pedestrian 3 fps.
• Street: LX7’s compact size and silent operation provide better discretion. E-PL1’s larger size hinders inconspicuous shooting.
• Macro: LX7’s 1 cm minimum macro focus outperforms most interchangeable lenses available to E-PL1 out-of-the-box, though specialized Olympus macro lenses can bridge this gap.
• Night/Astro: Olympus’s sensor size and noise handling dominate low-light and high ISO scenarios.
• Video: LX7 offers superior video resolution and frame rates.
• Travel: LX7’s portability and lens versatility (24-90mm) provide an edge.
• Professional Use: Olympus’s system expands into pro-grade lenses and raw capabilities, but lacks ruggedness.

Sample Image Quality and Output Characteristics

Real-world image comparisons emphasize differences in rendering, dynamic range, and color accuracy.

Olympus E PL1 front Olympus E PL1 screen back Panasonic LX7 front Panasonic LX7 screen back

• Olympus images exhibit cleaner high ISO performance and richer tonal gradations.
• LX7 produces punchy colors with excellent sharpness at base ISO but noise increases markedly at elevated sensitivities.
• Both cameras’ JPEG outputs are serviceable; Olympus’s RAW files provide more latitude for editing.

Summary of Performance Scores and Final Analytical Rating

Combining laboratory benchmarks and practical testing yields the following overall ratings:

• Olympus E-PL1: 54 DxOMark score reflecting superior sensor capabilities but hampered by slower burst, smaller LCD, and limited video.
• Panasonic LX7: 50 DxOMark score indicates excellent compact sensor performance augmented by fast lens and video capabilities.

Final Recommendations: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL1 if you:

• Require an interchangeable lens system providing long-term optical versatility.
• Prioritize image quality, especially in portraits, landscapes, and low-light scenarios.
• Prefer traditional controls over compactness.
• Accept slower burst rate and video limitations.
• Plan to invest in additional lenses for specific photography genres.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix LX7 if you:

• Want a highly portable, one-lens solution with a very fast zoom lens.
• Value high-speed continuous shooting and advanced video recording.
• Seek a razor-sharp, crisp LCD and easy-to-use controls in a compact form.
• Are a street, travel, or casual action shooter needing quick responsiveness.
• Need macro and close-up functionality without lens changes.

Closing Observations

The Olympus E-PL1, with its larger sensor and interchangeable lenses, remains a compelling option for emerging enthusiasts and professionals seeking solid image quality and compositional control. Meanwhile, the Panasonic LX7’s combination of a bright lens, fast shooting modes, and compact package makes it a versatile camera for spontaneous photography and multimedia capture.

Both cameras, approaching the product landscape from different standpoints, underscore inherent trade-offs between sensor size, flexibility, and portability. Choosing between them depends heavily on the primary photographic use cases and prioritization of features such as lens adaptability versus video performance.

This rigorous evaluation aims to provide the discerning photographer with evidence-based insights founded on extensive hands-on testing and technical analysis. These cameras encapsulate two different philosophies, and understanding their operational nuances ensures a purchase aligned with your artistic and professional objectives.