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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 front
Portability
86
Imaging
35
Features
61
Overall
45

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 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
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic LX7
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-90mm (F1.4-2.3) lens
  • 298g - 111 x 68 x 46mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic LX5
  • Renewed by Panasonic LX10
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic LX7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the LX7 (10MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and LX7 (1/1.7") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was released 3 years earlier than the LX7 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PL1 grades against the LX7 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic LX7

 E-PL1 LX7 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX7 over the Olympus E-PL1

 LX7 E-PL1 
RevealedOctober 2012May 2010More modern by 29 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LX7

 E-PL1 LX7 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 has external dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic LX7 has measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") along with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic LX7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL1 vs the LX7.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and LX7 is 86 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The picture here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and LX7.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL1 will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LX7 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
45
you can focus manually
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Street photography camera
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
58
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
more heavy than average (298g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
great battery pack (330 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
64
great battery pack (330 CIPA)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
more heavy than average (298g)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic LX7 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
57
you can focus manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (330 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
Panasonic LX7 Vlogging features
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
33
rather wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than average (298g)
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LX7
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-05-17 2012-10-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-90mm (3.8x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.4-2.3
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m 8.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 334 grams (0.74 lb) 298 grams (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 111 x 68 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 50
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 20.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 11.7
DXO Low light score 487 147
Other
Battery life 290 photos 330 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $288 $400