Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7

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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX7

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL1.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
10.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic LX7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the LX7.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Panasonic LX7

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 1.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~2.20 vs 3.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-PL1 test data on DxO Mark LX7 test data on DxO Mark

487 vs 147 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More pixels
12.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic LX7 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

Less expensive
$500 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
LX7 test data on DxO Mark E-PL1 test data on DxO Mark

11.7 vs 10.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.24 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
Longer exposure
250 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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

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Buy the Olympus E-PL1

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Buy the Panasonic LX7

Panasonic LX7

Review Excerpt

Read our Olympus E-PL1 Full Review

Fast lens; Sharp lens; Rock-solid image stabilization; Fast autofocus and shutter lag; Level gauge.
Sluggish startup; Battery life lower; Switches can change accidentally; Slow buffer clearing.
Read our Panasonic LX7 Review

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 LX7

Olympus E-P2

$297
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
More dynamic range

$1100
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Olympus E-P2

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 LX7

Olympus E-PL2

$297
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
More dynamic range

$600
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Olympus E-PL2

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 LX7

Olympus E-P3

$297
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
More dynamic range

$561
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Olympus E-PL1

Samsung EX2F

$392
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$479
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Samsung EX2F

Panasonic LX7

Samsung EX2F

$297
1/1.7 inch

Longer stills battery life
More dots on screen

$479
1/1.7 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Samsung EX2F

Compared to Panasonic LX10

Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic LX10

$392
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$548
1 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic LX10

Panasonic LX7

Panasonic LX10

$297
1/1.7 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$548
1 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic LX7 vs Panasonic LX10

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