• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    772 vs 487 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.6 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    460k 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
    0.34 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 shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Panasonic GH1

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic G2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic G2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GH2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels
Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic GH2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-P3
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-M5
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
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