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Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-PL6 versus Panasonic SZ7, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL6 (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL6 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL6 was introduced 2 years later than the SZ7 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL6 matches up against the SZ7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Panasonic SZ7

 E-PL6 SZ7 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2012More recent by 32 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus E-PL6

 SZ7 E-PL6 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL6 and Panasonic SZ7

 E-PL6 SZ7 
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL6 comes with outside measurements 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 SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL6 versus Panasonic SZ7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL6 and the SZ7.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL6 and SZ7 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The visual below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL6 and SZ7.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL6 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PL6 will give greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The newer E-PL6 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography info
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
33
good MP (14MP)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL6
Street photography with Panasonic SZ7
85
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (133g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography highlights
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
no phase detect autofocus
43
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography features
85
includes touch to focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
70
lighter than competitors (133 grams)
good MP (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging highlights
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no external mic port
35
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (133g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL6 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus PEN E-PL6Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL6 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2014-08-01 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 4cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 gr (0.72 lb) 133 gr (0.29 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 220 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $300 $199