Clicky

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 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
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LZ30
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LZ20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-PL1 was released 3 years before the LZ20 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL1 scores against the LZ20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic LZ20

 E-PL1 LZ20 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-PL1

 LZ20 E-PL1 
AnnouncedJuly 2012May 2010Fresher by 26 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LZ20

 E-PL1 LZ20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 has physical dimensions 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 LZ20 has measurements of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1 against the LZ20.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and LZ20 is 86 and 71 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out specifications. The photograph underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1 and LZ20.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic LZ20 will provide extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-PL1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
36
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography info
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (499 grams)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery (380 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography information
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography information
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (290 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
58
great battery (380 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (499g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography factors
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
45
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
great battery (380 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging advice
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
25
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition in class (499 grams)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-05-17 2012-07-18
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334 gr (0.74 lb) 499 gr (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 380 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $288 $250