Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic LX7: An Expert’s Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals Alike

Choosing a camera is always a balancing act between your specific photographic interests, technical expectations, and, let’s face it, your budget. Today I’m diving into a head-to-head comparison of two cameras that often surface in conversations among serious enthusiasts: the Olympus E-PL8, an entry-level mirrorless with Micro Four Thirds credentials, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7, a premium compact known for its fast lens and pocketable versatility.

Both cameras come from brands with decades of optical pedigree and manic attention to imaging details, but they address a slightly different user profile. After testing and shooting with both extensively, my goal here is to help you pinpoint which camera naturally fits your style - whether you lean into travel photography, portraits, or something more niche like macro or wildlife.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty, from sensor technology to ergonomics, with loads of practical info on real-world usage.

Getting a Grip: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

If you’re shooting handheld for extended periods, the camera’s feel in your hands will make or break your experience. The Olympus E-PL8 hails from the mirrorless world, sporting a classic rangefinder-style body designed to marry portability with control. Meanwhile, the Panasonic LX7 is a compact offering, smaller and designed for pocketability with a fixed lens.

Olympus E-PL8 measures roughly 115 x 67 x 38 mm and weighs about 357g; it feels lightweight yet substantial. The grip is minimal but comfortable for smaller hands - a typical Micro Four Thirds design ethos that emphasizes compactness without sacrificing handling. Controls are intuitively placed, and the tilting touchscreen makes framing at odd angles easier.

By contrast, the Panasonic LX7 is a compact powerhouse at 111 x 68 x 46 mm, a bit chunkier front-to-back due to the integrated lens assembly but more pocket-friendly overall. Weighing 298g, it’s lighter on pure heft but the control dial and zoom ring are precisely engineered for quick adjustments on the fly - even for one-handed operation.

For photographers prioritizing discretion and quick access, the LX7’s smaller footprint is a clear winner. But if you want a camera that feels like a traditional “camera” in your hands with more dedicated controls and the option to swap lenses, the Olympus edges ahead.

A Top-Down Inspection: Control Layout and Design Philosophy

Just as important as size is how each manufacturer arranges the controls, because a well-thought-out layout speeds up operation tremendously during shoots.

Looking at the Olympus E-PL8’s top panel, you can see the usual mode dial, shutter release, and exposure compensation dial positioned within a thumb’s reach. Olympus integrates a nice customizable dial on the back (though no top screen here) and the tilt screen to navigate menus and settings without fuss. The layout suits those who prefer manual exposure modes and a touch interface equally.

The Panasonic LX7, meanwhile, sacrifices that intuitive top dial for a sleek superslim design but includes a dedicated aperture ring on the lens itself - a feature I’ve always appreciated for precise depth-of-field control without fumbling through menus. This tactile aperture ring is a rarity in compacts and a nod to serious photographers who like direct manipulation. However, some users might initially find the LX7’s button cluster less logical for rapid changes compared to the E-PL8’s more camera-like interface.

The Heart of the Camera: Sensor and Image Quality

This is where the two cameras diverge most significantly and where you must align expectations carefully.

The Olympus E-PL8 employs a 16MP Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, which is substantially larger than the LX7’s 10MP 1/1.7-inch sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm). More sensor real estate generally means improved dynamic range, better low-light performance, and the ability to achieve shallower depth of field, which is essential for portraits and artistic bokeh.

The “Micro Four Thirds” format strikes an appealing balance between compactness and image quality; you get enough pixels to print large or crop aggressively without noise quickly taking over. The E-PL8 also features TruePic VII image processing, which Olympus honed for rich color reproduction and good control over highlights and shadows, albeit not quite at the level of the latest generation sensors.

The Panasonic LX7, while sporting a smaller sensor, benefits from a very fast lens (f/1.4-2.3), allowing more light to reach the sensor - a critical advantage indoors or at dusk. The sensor resolution is lower at 10MP, optimized more for crisp detail at base ISO and less for large print crops. It also provides a respectable dynamic range for a compact, but you’ll notice more noise creeping in above ISO 800 compared to the E-PL8.

If you primarily shoot under varied lighting scenarios and want superior image quality for portraits or landscapes, the Olympus E-PL8’s sensor wins hands down. For casual travel or street shooting where size and lens speed matter more than pixel count, the LX7 holds its own admirably.

Seeing It All: LCD Screens and Live View Experience

The user interface is your direct line to capturing the perfect image without missing a moment.

The Olympus E-PL8 features a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 1037k dots resolution, offering excellent brightness and color fidelity. Tilting the screen upwards or downwards unlocks creative shooting angles - overhead, low to the ground, or selfies (though note the E-PL8 does not explicitly advertise a selfie mode). The touch interface enables quick AF point selection and menu navigation, a boon for beginners and pros alike.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic LX7 offers a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 920k dots. While not touch-enabled, it is bright and sharp enough for clear previews. The lack of tilting does restrict your shooting angles somewhat, but the LX7 balances that with physical controls and a fast lens for speedy captures.

For photographers who regularly shoot at unconventional angles or prefer touch control, the E-PL8’s tilting touchscreen feels more modern and versatile.

How Do They Shoot? Autofocus and Burst Performance

When chasing fleeting moments - sports, wildlife, or street - you want autofocus that’s fast and reliable plus burst modes that won’t hold you back.

The Olympus E-PL8 employs a contrast-detection system with 81 AF points and supports face detection, continuous AF, and AF tracking. While not as advanced as hybrid phase-detect AF systems found in later models, it is accurate in most scenarios but can struggle a bit with fast-moving subjects or low contrast.

The Panasonic LX7 also uses contrast detection AF with fewer focus points (23), yet its smaller sensor and fast lens help keep AF snappy in most conditions. It offers continuous and tracking AF modes and can shoot up to 11 fps in continuous burst mode - significantly faster than the E-PL8’s 8 fps.

In real-world wildlife or sports shooting, the LX7’s higher fps rate is attractive but its smaller, slower AF system can make locking focus on erratic subjects hit-or-miss. For portraits or leisurely street shooting, both systems perform adequately.

The Versatility of Lenses and Accessories

What truly separates a mirrorless system like the Olympus E-PL8 from a fixed-lens compact like the LX7 is the lens ecosystem.

Olympus shares the Micro Four Thirds mount with Panasonic and others, meaning you can tap into over 100 native lenses ranging from tiny primes, fast zooms, professional-grade telephotos, and specialty lenses like macros or fisheyes. This versatility is compelling if you want the freedom to adapt your camera to evolving styles - from landscapes to wildlife to macro work.

The Panasonic LX7, in contrast, has a fixed 24-90mm equivalent fast zoom lens (f/1.4-2.3) crafted to cover a lot of ground optically. It’s a stellar performer optically and gives you true macro capability down to 1 cm focusing distance. But you’re locked into those focal lengths and cannot swap lenses.

So if you value adaptability and the ability to grow your system, the Olympus E-PL8’s Micro Four Thirds mount is a huge plus. If you prioritize a high-quality built-in lens without fuss, the LX7’s fixed zoom excels.

How Tough Are They? Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera is ruggedized or weather sealed, so neither are suited for extreme outdoor conditions. Both cameras rely on careful handling and protective gear if you’re shooting in rain, snow, or dusty environments.

If you shoot outdoors often, you might prefer aftermarket cases or weather covers. The E-PL8’s interchangeable lens system means you can add rugged lenses separately that may offer better sealing.

Portability and Travel Friendliness

Both cameras are relatively light and compact, but they serve different travel styles.

Olympus E-PL8’s interchangeable lens design means you’ll often carry multiple lenses and accessories, increasing bulk but offering creative freedom. For a compact system, it remains travelable.

Panasonic LX7, with its built-in zoom and compact size, is an ideal ultra-light travel companion when you want great image quality in a pocketable form.

Battery Life and Storage

Olympus rates the E-PL8 at approximately 350 shots per charge, while the Panasonic LX7 offers about 330 shots. Both are on par for mirrorless and compact models of their generation, meaning you’ll likely need spares for a day’s shooting.

Both support SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with single slots, so no advantage there.

Video Capabilities

Video capabilities are modest on both.

• Olympus E-PL8 records 1080p full HD at 30fps using H.264 codec. No 4K or advanced stabilization during movie mode, and no mic inputs.
• Panasonic LX7 offers 1080p at up to 60fps in AVCHD or MPEG-4, again lacking mic inputs.

Neither camera is ideal as a modern video tool but suitable for casual Full HD clips.

Real-World Performance Across Photographic Niches

Let me break down what each camera brings to specific photographic disciplines, reflecting both specs and personal shoot experience:

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-PL8 benefits from its larger sensor and Micro Four Thirds optics for smoother bokeh and more natural skin tones. The 5-axis in-body stabilization helps with sharp handheld portraits. The face detection AF is reliable though not lightning fast.
• Panasonic LX7 can create lovely portraits with its ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture providing strong subject separation, but depth of field control is slightly more constrained by smaller sensor size.

Landscape Photography

• Larger sensor and 16MP resolution tip the scales to E-PL8, giving more dynamic range and detail, ideal for printing large landscapes.
• LX7’s fixed zoom and compact nature limit wider framing flexibility but excel with portability.

Wildlife Photography

• Neither camera is specifically wildlife-focused, but the Olympus’ adaptable lens selection, especially telephotos, is a real advantage.
• LX7’s quick burst mode is a plus, but AF limitations and fixed lens hinder performance.

Sports Photography

• Olympus supports fast burst at 8 fps but modest AF speed.
• Panasonic beats it in burst speed (11 fps) but not in AF tracking accuracy.

Street Photography

• LX7’s compact size and stealthy appearance win here.
• Olympus is bigger, less discrete but offers creative controls.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic has a standout macro minimum focus distance (~1 cm), great for detail close-ups.
• Olympus depends on specialized lenses for macro, which you can add.

Night/Astro Photography

• E-PL8’s sensor with higher ISO up to 25600 and better noise handling is the better choice for night shots.
• LX7 good but noise rises quickly after ISO 800.

Sample Image Comparison

To illustrate this further, here’s a gallery showing sample shots from both cameras, featuring portraits, landscapes, and low light images. Note the differences in background blur, noise, and color rendition.

Olympus E PL8 front Olympus E PL8 screen back Panasonic LX7 front Panasonic LX7 screen back

Rating Their Overall Performance

Based on my tests covering sensor quality, autofocus, ease of use, and image quality here’s a rounded assessment:

Olympus E-PL8 scores higher for image quality, versatility, and ergonomics; Panasonic LX7 scores well for portability and lens speed.

How They Perform in Specific Genres

Breaking it down by popular photography types:

You can see Olympus excels at portraits, landscapes, and travel work with lens adaptability. Panasonic shines at street, macro, and fast action burst scenarios within its compact regime.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

The Olympus E-PL8 is a superb entry-level mirrorless system camera ideal if you want to build an interchangeable lens kit, shoot a variety of genres with superior image quality, and value modern touchscreen interfaces. It fits beginner to advanced users wanting a lightweight system that won’t hold them back creatively.

The Panasonic LX7, although older and fixed lens, remains an excellent premium compact for enthusiasts valuing a bright, high-quality zoom lens and portability above all. Its fuss-free nature and fast aperture make it a favorite for street shooters and travelers who want excellent image quality without carrying extra gear.

My recommendation for each user type:

• Travel Photographers who want a lightweight, versatile system with better image quality and lens choices → Olympus E-PL8
• Street Photographers or casual shooters who prioritize pocketability and fast lens speed → Panasonic LX7
• Portrait and Landscape enthusiasts seeking better bokeh, detail, and dynamic range → Olympus E-PL8
• Macro and close-up photographers wanting simple, immediate macro without extra lenses → Panasonic LX7
• Budget-conscious buyers looking for a full-featured camera under $500 → Panasonic LX7 offers great value
• Anyone wanting future-proofing with potential system growth → Olympus E-PL8 due to Micro Four Thirds mount

Parting Advice

When choosing between these two, think about your long-term photo goals, how much gear you’re willing to carry, and which features matter most in your shooting routine. Both cameras deliver capable imaging in their niches, but their differences reveal deep philosophical priorities in design.

If image quality and creative flexibility drive you, Micro Four Thirds with Olympus is a solid investment. If pocketability and speed count more, the Panasonic LX7 is a remarkable compact that still punches above its weight.

Whichever you choose, enjoy the journey behind the lens - it’s where the real magic happens.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you decide your next photographic companion. For more hands-on insights, check out my full video reviews linked here [not shown], where I put both cameras through their paces across various shooting conditions. Happy shooting!