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Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL6 and Panasonic FZ40, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL6 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very similar but the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL6 was launched 4 years later than the FZ40 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PL6 scores vs the FZ40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-PL6 FZ40 
LaunchedAugust 2014July 2010More recent by 50 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-PL6

 FZ40 E-PL6 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Panasonic FZ40

 E-PL6 FZ40 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL6 enjoys outer dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL6 and Panasonic FZ40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL6 against the FZ40.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL6 and FZ40 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL6 and FZ40.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL6 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-PL6 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The younger E-PL6 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography features
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
46
focusing manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Street photography information
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography information
85
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others (494g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
no phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography features
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography features
85
has touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
54
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (494g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL6
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
51
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no microphone socket
23
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
heavier than others (494 grams)
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL6 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2014-08-01 2010-07-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine HD II
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 325 grams (0.72 pounds) 494 grams (1.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 360 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $300 $420