• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ100

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic DMC-FZ100 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.34 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Olympus E-P2
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Olympus E-PL2
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Sony HX100V

Olympus E-PL1
Sony HX100V
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony HX100V

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Sony HX100V
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Olympus E-P3
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Olympus E-P3

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