Olympus E420 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E420
37
WINNER
|
Panasonic · DSLR · 10.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
34
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E-420 is the lighter, smaller body of these two DSLRs, weighing 426 g against 556 g for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 and measuring 130 x 91 x 53 mm against the L10's 135 x 96 x 78 mm. The L10 arrived first, in 2007, with the E-420 following in 2008. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 5, 2008 | August 30, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 91 x 53 mm | 135 x 96 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 426 g | 556 g |
| Optics | 37/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-420 is the stronger choice for framing off-centre subjects, offering 11 autofocus points where the L10 provides 3. That wider spread gives you more freedom to compose a portrait or a flower without recomposing after focus lock. It also shoots slightly faster in continuous mode, at 3.5 fps against 3 fps, which helps with a brief burst of candid movement. Resolution is effectively shared, at 10 MP for the E-420 and 10.1 MP for the L10, so neither gives a useful crop advantage. Both use the Micro 4/3 mount and the same sensor format, so a lens made for the mount fits either body. The ISO range matches at 100 to 1600, as does the 1/4000 second top shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 10.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
NMOS | Live MOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14 x 18 | 13 x 17 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3.5 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic III | Venus Engine HD III |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 16003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse function, so this pair is strictly a stills choice. Anyone who wants movie clips or camera-generated timelapse sequences needs a different body. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 34/100 | 28/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Lumix DMC-L10 is the better camera for shooting at awkward angles, because its 2.5-inch LCD flips out while the E-420's 2.7-inch screen is fixed. That articulation makes low-level macro work and overhead crowd shots easier to compose using live view, which both cameras support. The L10 also offers Wi-Fi, which the E-420 lacks, while the E-420's screen is larger and sharper at 230,000 dots against 207,000. Several other features are shared. Both include a built-in flash for fill light and support external flash units, while neither offers weather sealing, GPS, a touchscreen or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.7" | 2.5" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2070001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 60/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor card flexibility, the E-420 is the stronger body. It takes CompactFlash Type I or II plus xD Picture Card and has two card slots, so a second card can stay loaded alongside the first. The L10 records to a single SD, SDHC or MMC slot, so it carries one card at a time. The E-420 also holds the higher battery rating, at 500 shots per charge for its BLS-1 pack against 450 shots for the L10's DMW-BLB13. Neither body charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | BLS-1 | DMW-BLB13 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 450 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus E-420 if speed and portability drive your shooting. Its 11-point autofocus spread suits spontaneous portraits and street work where subjects sit away from centre, its 3.5 fps burst handles brief action better, and its lighter 426 g body plus dual card slots suit travel and long walking days.
Choose the Lumix DMC-L10 for tripod and macro photography. Its flip-out screen with live view makes ground-level and overhead composition practical, and Wi-Fi adds wireless transfer. With neither recording video and resolution effectively tied at around 10 MP, the choice comes down to autofocus flexibility versus the articulating screen.