Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FS12

Below is a complete review of the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic FS12, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL1s was introduced 20 months later than the FS12 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PL1s grades vs the FS12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL1s & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL1s Gallery & Panasonic FS12 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL1s features exterior dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic FS12 has specifications of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL1s versus Panasonic FS12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL1s and the FS12.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1s and FS12 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Quite often, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL1s and FS12.

As you can tell, the two cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL1s features the bigger sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field easier. The more recent E-PL1s should have an edge in sensor technology.