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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic SZ8, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL1 was released 4 years prior to the SZ8 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-PL1 matches up vs the SZ8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 E-PL1 SZ8 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-PL1

 SZ8 E-PL1 
RevealedJanuary 2014May 2010More modern by 44 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic SZ8

 E-PL1 SZ8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL1 has outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL1 against the SZ8.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL1 and SZ8 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and SZ8.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic SZ8 will provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery power (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery power (290 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
missing Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography factors
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery power (290 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-05-17 2014-01-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine
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 16 megapixels
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 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 gr (0.74 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 images 200 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $288 $275