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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released November 2010
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX550
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FX580, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL1s (12MP) and the FX580 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PL1s (Four Thirds) and FX580 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL1s was announced 22 months later than the FX580 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1s being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX580 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL1s scores against the FX580 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Panasonic FX580

 E-PL1s FX580 
ReleasedNovember 2010January 2009More recent by 22 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 FX580 E-PL1s 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FX580

 E-PL1s FX580 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1s offers outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Panasonic FX580 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FX580 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1s against the FX580.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1s and FX580 is 86 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through specs. The graphic underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1s and FX580.

All in all, both of these cameras offer the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL1s provides the bigger sensor which will make achieving bokeh simpler. The more recent E-PL1s will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Portrait photography with Panasonic FX580
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
26
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Street photography features
Panasonic FX580 Street photography features
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FX580 Sports photography highlights
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography info
Panasonic FX580 Travel photography info
52
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (290 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
Landscape photography with Panasonic FX580
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (290 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
37
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging factors
Panasonic FX580 Vlogging factors
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic port
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Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic FX580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1s and Panasonic FX580
 Olympus PEN E-PL1sPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1s Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580
Also called - Lumix DMC-FX550
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-11-16 2009-01-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $599 $499