Olympus PEN E-PL7 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PL7
54
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
48
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras with different body designs. The 2014 E-PL7 is a compact PEN-style body framing on its rear screen, while the 2013 G6 is DSLR-shaped with a deep grip and an electronic viewfinder. The E-PL7 measures 115 x 67 x 38 mm and weighs 357 g, against 122 x 85 x 71 mm and 390 g for the G6. It is 33 g lighter and slimmer, at 38 mm deep against the G6's 71 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 28, 2014 | April 24, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 67 x 38 mm | 122 x 85 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 357 g | 390 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PL7 is the better pick for handheld shooting in dim rooms, because it offers in-body stabilisation and the G6 does not. That permits slower handheld shutter speeds for interiors or evening street scenes without a tripod. Its standard ISO range also runs to 25600 against the G6's 12800, and both reach 25600 when expanded. A shared Micro 4/3 mount means either body takes the same native lens range. The E-PL7 also offers 81 autofocus points against 23, and shoots at 8 fps rather than 7 fps. Both use CMOS sensors of roughly 16 megapixels and share a 1/4000 second shutter limit. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16.05 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
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 17.3 |
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. |
8 fps045 | 7 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 VII | Venus Engine IX |
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 | 16030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 16030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 12044080 |
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. |
810300 | 230300 |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G6 is the stronger choice for slow motion, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against the E-PL7's 30 fps. That allows smooth half-speed playback of fast action on a 30 fps timeline. Both cameras cap out at Full HD resolution. The E-PL7 answers with built-in timelapse, which the G6 lacks, so sunsets or building projects become finished sequences without external gear. Clip formats differ as well. The E-PL7 records MOV and AVI, while the G6 offers AVCHD and MP4 with AAC stereo audio. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
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. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
MOV, AVI | AVCHD MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G6 is the more convenient camera for casual fill light, because it has a built-in flash while the E-PL7 needs an external unit. Both support external flash, and neither includes GPS or weather sealing. For waist-level or selfie framing, both offer a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out, with near-matching dot counts of 1037000 and 1036000. Both also have Wi-Fi for phone transfer, and neither offers Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 10360001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryYour SD, SDHC and SDXC cards work in either body, since both use a single card slot of the same type. Neither supports USB charging, so each needs its mains charger, the BLS-50 for Olympus and the DMW-BLC12 for Panasonic. Battery ratings sit close at 350 shots for the E-PL7 and 340 for the G6. That 10-shot gap is too small to drive the choice. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | DMW-BLC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL7 for handheld low-light work, since its in-body stabilisation steadies dim restaurant, museum and evening shots, and its built-in timelapse condenses sunsets without extra gear. Its 8 fps rate also suits short sequences of moving subjects.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 if you want eye-level framing, because its 1440000-dot electronic viewfinder gives a view the screen-only E-PL7 cannot. Its built-in flash adds convenient fill light, and its 60 fps maximum frame rate supports slow motion for family clips. The shared Micro 4/3 mount keeps the lens system open either way.