Olympus E600 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E600
42
WINNER
|
Panasonic · DSLR · 10.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10
34
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E600 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 are both DSLRs built around Live MOS sensors in the Micro Four Thirds format, sharing the same Micro 4/3 lens mount. Any lenses you own for one fit the other. The E600 arrived in 2009, two years after the L10, and it is the lighter carry at 515 g against 556 g. The E600 is also the slimmer body at 130 x 94 x 60 mm, against 135 x 96 x 78 mm for the L10, so it packs into a smaller bag. | ||
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. |
August 30, 2009 | August 30, 2007 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 130 x 94 x 60 mm | 135 x 96 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 515 g | 556 g |
| Optics | 43/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E600 is the better choice for moving subjects and heavy cropping. It shoots at 4 fps against the L10's 3 fps and spreads autofocus across 7 points instead of 3. Its 12.3 megapixels give more pixels than the L10's 10.1 for larger prints. When light drops, its settings reach ISO 3200 while the L10 tops out at 1600. The E600 alone offers in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots at slower shutter speeds with unstabilised lenses. The L10's advantage is its native ISO 100 base against the E600's 200, which suits wide apertures in bright daylight. Both cameras top out at the same 1/4000 second shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 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. |
4032 x 3024 | 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. |
Live MOS | 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. |
4 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. |
20030200 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
32003003280000 | 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. |
70300 | 30300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
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 offers a built-in timelapse mode, so this pairing is for stills photographers only. If movie recording matters to your work, you will need a different camera. | ||
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 pick for wireless convenience, offering built-in Wi-Fi that the E600 lacks for transferring photos without a cable. The E600 answers with a larger rear screen, 2.7 inches with 230,000 dots against 2.5 inches and 207,000 dots, which makes playback and menu reading easier. Both cameras offer flip-out LCD screens with live view, useful for waist-level and overhead framing. Both include a built-in flash and support external flash units. Neither has weather sealing, GPS or a touchscreen. | ||
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. |
 Yes | 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 E600 gives you more storage flexibility with dual card slots accepting CompactFlash Type I or II alongside xD Picture Cards. The L10 relies on a single SD, SDHC or MMC slot. If you already own SD cards, the L10 uses them directly. The E600's BLS-1 battery is rated for 500 shots against 450 for the L10's DMW-BLB13. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need their external chargers. | ||
| 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 E600 if you photograph moving subjects or want stabilised handheld frames, because its faster burst, wider autofocus spread and in-body stabilisation cover those situations directly. Its settings reach ISO 3200 for dim interiors, and its extra megapixels help when cropping distant subjects.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 remains sensible if you need Wi-Fi transfer, already own SD cards or shoot wide open in bright light at its ISO 100 base. For most stills photographers, though, the E600's advantages across burst, focus coverage and stabilisation make it the stronger choice.