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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic FH7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 19mm
  • Revealed September 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS22
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and FH7 (16MP) and the E-PL2 (Four Thirds) and FH7 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL2 was announced 6 months earlier than the FH7 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PL2 matches up vs the FH7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic FH7

 E-PL2 FH7 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH7 over the Olympus E-PL2

 FH7 E-PL2 
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FH7

 E-PL2 FH7 
RevealedFebruary 2011September 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL2 provides external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic FH7 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL2 against the FH7.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL2 and FH7 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing specifications. The picture underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and FH7.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL2 using its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic FH7 will show greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL2
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH7
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH7 as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
67
image stabilization (Optical)
features focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL2
Sports photography with Panasonic FH7
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (280 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
Travel photography with Panasonic FH7
51
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
features focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FH7 Landscape photography advice
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery (280 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
43
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging details
Panasonic FH7 Vlogging details
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
34
decently wide (28mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic FH7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic FH7
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS22
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-02-11 2011-09-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine IV
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 gr (0.80 lb) 126 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 95 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 images 260 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $0 $149