Olympus E450 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E450
37
WINNER
|
Panasonic · DSLR · 10.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
34
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E450 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 are DSLRs sharing the Micro Four Thirds sensor format and the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so lenses from that system work on either body. Both use an optical pentamirror viewfinder. The E450 arrived in 2009, two years after the L10's 2007 launch. The E450 is the lighter and more compact body. It measures 130 x 91 x 53 mm and weighs 426 g, while the L10 measures 135 x 96 x 78 mm and weighs 556 g. The 130 g difference matters for a camera carried all day. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2009 | 2007 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
March 31, 2009 | 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 | 36/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsResolution gives neither camera a practical edge for cropping or enlarging: the E450 offers 10 MP and the L10 10.1 MP. Both share the same native ISO range of 100 to 1600, though the sensors differ in type, NMOS against Live MOS. The E450 is the slightly faster camera for action, with a maximum burst of 3.5 fps against 3 fps on the L10. That suits a short sequence of a moving subject such as a child or pet. Both offer a 1/4000 second top shutter speed, three autofocus points, and no in-body stabilisation. | ||
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. |
13 x 17.3 | 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. |
30300 | 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, and neither has a built-in timelapse function, so anyone who needs motion footage or interval shooting alongside stills should look elsewhere. For stills-only use, this shared limitation costs nothing. | ||
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 L10 is the better choice for framing from awkward angles, with a flipping LCD against the E450's fixed screen. Its movable display, combined with the live view both cameras offer, lets you shoot at ground level or waist level without lying down. The E450 counters with a slightly better screen for checking focus, at 2.7 inches and 230,000 dots against the L10's 2.5 inches and 207,000 dots. The L10 offers Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, which the E450 lacks. Both include a built-in flash and support an external flash, and neither has GPS, touch control, or weather sealing. | ||
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 BatteryThe E450 has the stronger storage setup for long shooting days, with dual card slots for Compact Flash and xD Picture Card against the L10's single SD, SDHC, or MMC slot. A second slot keeps a spare card ready inside the camera. Battery ratings also favour the E450, at 500 shots versus 450 for the L10. Each uses its own battery pack, the BLS-2 in the E450 and the DMW-BLB13 in the L10, and neither 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-2 | 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
The E450 is the stronger pick for travel and general photography. It holds two cards, its slightly faster 3.5 fps burst helps with brief action moments, and its higher-dot screen makes checking shots easier.
Choose the L10 instead if you shoot from low or unusual angles, because its flipping screen and live view make ground-level macro work and waist-level candid frames far easier to compose. Its Wi-Fi lets you copy images off the camera without a cable.