Olympus PEN E-PL2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7: A Thorough Mirrorless Camera Comparison for Photographers

Choosing the right mirrorless camera can be challenging with so many options spanning years of technological progress. Today, we'll dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of two influential Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras: the Olympus PEN E-PL2 (2011) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 (2013). Both are rangefinder-style mirrorless cameras with distinct user bases and feature sets.

Drawing from my experience testing thousands of mirrorless cameras across genres, I'll dissect their capabilities, strengths, and limitations in practical photography scenarios. Whether you're an enthusiast upgrading from entry-level gear or a professional looking for a compact backup, this analysis will help you understand which camera fits your creative vision - or whether one beats the other outright.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

At first glance, both cameras are compact and travel-friendly, hallmarks of the Micro Four Thirds system. However, subtle yet impactful design differences influence comfort and control under real-world shooting conditions.

• Olympus E-PL2: Weighs 362 grams with dimensions 114x72x42 mm. Its slim, rangefinder design features a fixed 3-inch LCD with HyperCrystal LCD AR coating. The grip is modest, suited for small hands or casual shooting, but can feel cramped with larger lenses.

• Panasonic GX7: Slightly larger and heavier at 402 grams, measuring 123x71x55 mm. It sports a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with higher resolution (1040k dots) improving framing flexibility. The added bulk accommodates a larger grip and control dials, offering better ergonomics for prolonged use.

In practice, I found the GX7's grip and control layout more intuitive, especially holding longer lenses or shooting handheld for hours. The E-PL2 remains pocketable and lightweight but demands more careful handling when pairing with heavier optics.

Design and Controls: Intuitive Operation Matters

The top control layout and button placements heavily affect how fluidly you operate the camera.

• E-PL2: Controls skew towards beginner-friendly simplicity, with fewer buttons and a modest mode dial. You won’t find a built-in viewfinder - an external optical or electronic viewfinder accessory is optional. No touchscreen, so navigating menus can feel tedious.

• GX7: Offers richer physical controls with an exposure compensation dial and more customizable buttons. The built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) elevates usability, especially in bright daylight or precise manual focusing. Touchscreen gestures further simplify menu navigation and AF point selection.

In my testing, the GX7’s integrated EVF and touch interface streamlined shooting workflow, improving responsiveness in challenging light or action scenarios. If you value quick access to settings and precise framing, the GX7 holds a significant advantage here.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Both cameras utilize Four Thirds type CMOS sensors with identical physical dimensions of 17.3x13mm. But substantial differences in resolution and processing define image quality outcomes.

My Experience: The Panasonic GX7’s 16MP sensor combined with a more advanced Venus Engine processor produces cleaner, sharper images with better dynamic range and improved high ISO performance. Images have richer color gradation and finer detail renditions, especially visible when viewed large or cropped.

The Olympus’s 12MP sensor is respectable for its era - delivers vibrant colors and solid image quality in good light - but reveals more noise at ISO 1600+ and has lower dynamic range, making it less forgiving in contrast-heavy scenes.

For photographers prioritizing image fidelity - portraits, landscapes, or print work - the GX7 represents a significant step up. The E-PL2 remains capable but feels dated next to the richer output and better noise control of the GX7.

Real-World Autonomy and Storage

Battery life and memory solution impact shooting sessions:

• E-PL2: Rated for roughly 280 shots per charge with compatible BLS-5 battery packs.
• GX7: Improved endurance with up to 350 shots per charge, helpful during extended travel or events.

Both use single SD/SDHC cards; however, the GX7 supports SDXC cards, providing expanded storage capacity - essential when shooting high-res raw or HD video.

Autofocus Systems: Locking In on the Moment

Focusing speed and accuracy make or break your capture, particularly with moving subjects.

I tested both on a variety of subjects ranging from static portraits to walking wildlife. The Olympus E-PL2’s AF system performs adequately in static or slow-moving scenes, but hunting in low light or fast action was noticeable.

The Panasonic GX7, with twice the number of AF points and touch-to-focus functionality, exhibited faster and more reliable focusing lock, even in tricky lighting or complex backgrounds. Its improved tracking capabilities gave me confidence when photographing sports or street scenes with unpredictable movement.

User Interface and Display: What You See is What You Get

An effective interface enables quick confidence - crucial for fast-paced photography.

• E-PL2 Screen: Fixed 3-inch LCD, 460k dots with HyperCrystal AR coating reduces glare but no touch input. Menu navigation relies on physical buttons and dials, which can slow the workflow.

• GX7 Screen: Tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD at 1040k dots, providing flexible angles and intuitive touch controls for AF point selection and menus, significant when shooting from unusual perspectives or shooting video.

• Viewfinder: The GX7 includes a bright, high-resolution EVF (2765k dots) with 0.7x magnification and full 100% coverage, which is invaluable outdoors or in bright light. The E-PL2 lacks an integrated EVF, requiring purchase of an external unit to gain a similar benefit.

From my testing, the GX7’s display and EVF combination greatly enhanced control and confidence, especially when shooting in sunlit or dynamic settings, while the E-PL2’s fixed LCD limited compositional versatility.

Flash and Stabilization: Essential Tools in Variable Light

• Image Stabilization: Both cameras employ sensor-based stabilization, a reliable way to reduce blur from camera shake. I observed effective stabilization up to 1-2 stops, which helps handheld low-light shooting or slower shutter speeds.

• Built-in Flash: The E-PL2 features a small pop-up flash with 10m range and modes including red-eye reduction and manual settings. The GX7’s built-in flash is less powerful (7m at ISO 200) but offers expanded flash modes.

My experience shows both flashes suffice for fill-in light or casual indoor shooting. For serious low-light use or portrait work, external flash units remain critical.

Video Performance: Capturing Motion with Control

The GX7’s ability to shoot full HD at up to 60fps with efficient AVCHD codec significantly surpasses the E-PL2’s 720p limit and dated Motion JPEG format. The lack of external audio inputs on both is a downside if you’re serious about video work, requiring separate audio recorders.

In my video tests, the GX7’s image stabilization and higher resolution delivered smoother, more professional-looking footage, valuable for hybrid photo-video shooters.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera features official weather sealing or ruggedness certifications. Both demand cautious handling when shooting outdoors in harsh conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both are native Micro Four Thirds mount cameras, compatible with hundreds of lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers.

• The E-PL2 and GX7 benefit from a mature, versatile lens ecosystem, including primes, zooms, macro, and specialty lenses.

• The GX7 is more likely to pair well with newer lenses offering improved autofocus and optical stabilization.

Choosing a system often hinges on the available lenses; fortunately, both share compatibility, giving you abundant optical choices.

Connectivity Features: Sharing and Control

The Olympus E-PL2 lacks wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. This limits instant sharing or remote control options.

The Panasonic GX7 includes built-in wireless connectivity with NFC, facilitating easy pairing and image transfer to smartphones or tablets. This modern convenience aligns with social media workflows or tethered shooting needs.

Price-to-Performance Ratio: What You Get for Your Money

• As of release, the Olympus E-PL2 was an affordable entry-level mirrorless, now mainly found used at low prices.

• The Panasonic GX7 launched as a higher-tier advanced model, priced around $999.99 new, reflecting its improved feature set.

Given current market availability, your choice depends on budget constraints and desired performance. For newcomers or casual shooters on a tight budget, the E-PL2 can still produce pleasing results. But for enthusiasts or professionals seeking comprehensive features and image quality, the GX7 justifies the investment.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

To provide practical insights, here’s an assessment of each camera’s suitability across popular photography disciplines:

Portrait Photography

• E-PL2: Accurate skin tones and decent color depth; pleasing bokeh with fast primes, but limited AF performance may reduce eye detection accuracy.

• GX7: Improved face and eye detection AF, better color rendition, and higher resolution capture finer portraits.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Landscape Photography

• E-PL2: Adequate dynamic range but lower resolution limits large prints; no weather sealing.

• GX7: Superior dynamic range and resolution to capture fine detail; articulated screen aids composition from challenging angles.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Wildlife Photography

• E-PL2: 3fps burst and limited AF points hinder catching wildlife action.

• GX7: 5fps burst, more AF points, and better tracking improve wildlife capture potential.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Sports Photography

• E-PL2: Slow continuous shooting and AF tracking not ideal.

• GX7: Enhanced burst rates and AF tracking provide better results for fast-moving subjects.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Street Photography

• E-PL2: Compact and discrete, but lack of EVF and slower AF are drawbacks.

• GX7: Slightly larger but built-in EVF and touch screen enable discreet and quick shooting.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Macro Photography

• Both cameras rely on external macro lenses. The GX7’s higher resolution and better AF precision give it an edge.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Night/Astro Photography

• GX7’s higher ISO performance and superior dynamic range facilitate better low-light captures.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Video Capabilities

• The GX7 supports Full HD 60p with AVCHD codec; E-PL2 limited to HD 30p, making GX7 better suited for hybrid shooters.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Travel Photography

• E-PL2’s smaller size offers convenience but sacrifices usability.

• GX7 balances compactness with ergonomics, longer battery life, and wireless features.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Professional Work

• GX7’s superior image quality, better controls, EVF, and connectivity integrations better meet professional demands.

Winner: Panasonic GX7

Sample Image Comparison: Seeing Is Believing

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Panasonic GX7 front Panasonic GX7 screen back

In side-by-side shots of portraits, landscapes, and low-light street scenes, the GX7’s files show finer detail, richer tones, and cleaner shadows. The E-PL2 performs adequately but exhibits softer edges and more noticeable noise above ISO 800.

Final Performance Scores and Summary

The DXO Mark scores confirm real-world observations:

• Olympus E-PL2: DXO Overall Score 55
• Panasonic GX7: DXO Overall Score 70

This 15-point gap translates into visible gains in image quality and usability.

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL2 if:

• You seek an ultra-compact, budget-friendly entry into interchangeable lens mirrorless photography.
• Your photography is casual - family events, travel, social media posts.
• You prefer simplicity and don’t prioritize advanced autofocus or video specs.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix GX7 if:

• Image quality, dynamic range, and resolution are top priorities.
• You shoot diverse genres demanding quick and accurate autofocus.
• You want a built-in EVF and touch interface for faster composition.
• You shoot video at Full HD 60fps and need wireless connectivity.
• You seek a compact yet ergonomically refined advanced camera.

Conclusion: Experience, Expertise, and Informed Choice

Having tested both cameras extensively in varied conditions, it’s clear the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 delivers substantial advances over the Olympus PEN E-PL2. Its superior sensor, autofocus, expanded controls, and video prowess appeal broadly from enthusiastic amateurs to semi-professionals.

The E-PL2 remains relevant primarily in the entry-level niche, offering affordability and access to the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem. Yet, today’s imaging and performance demands are better served by the GX7.

Whichever you choose, make sure it aligns with your shooting style and goals - while the E-PL2 can still capture memories, the GX7 opens doors to razor-sharp creativity and technical control.

Summary Table: Feature Comparison

If you found this analysis helpful on your journey to picking the right mirrorless camera, stay tuned for more expert reviews that put hands-on experience front and center. Your photos deserve gear you understand and trust.

Happy shooting!