Olympus PEN E-PL7 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 — 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 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
52
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so Micro 4/3 lenses fit either body. The E-PL7 arrived in 2014, a year after the GX7. It is the lighter and slimmer carry at 357 g and 38 mm deep, against 402 g and 55 mm for the GX7. | ||
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 | August 1, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 67 x 38 mm | 123 x 71 x 55 mm |
| Camera weight | 357 g | 402 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GX7 is the better pick for eye-level shooting in bright light. It offers a built-in electronic viewfinder where the E-PL7 depends entirely on its rear screen. Its 1/8000 second shutter, twice as short as the E-PL7's 1/4000, keeps wide apertures usable in strong sunlight. The E-PL7 is the stronger choice for action bursts. It shoots at 8 fps against 5 fps, and its 81 autofocus points offer more positions for tracking a moving subject than the GX7's 23. Both use a CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format, with resolution differing only fractionally at 16.1 against 16 megapixels. Both offer in-body stabilisation and a native ISO range of 200 to 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16 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 | 4592 x 3448 |
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 | 5 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 |
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 | 20030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 12530200 |
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 | 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 | 800080032000 |
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 | Yes |
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 | 276480009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GX7 is the stronger pick for slow-motion editing. Its maximum video frame rate of 60 fps doubles the E-PL7's 30 fps, so GX7 footage can be slowed to half speed in editing. Both top out at Full HD resolution, so neither offers 4K. The E-PL7 adds a built-in timelapse function for condensing a sunset without an intervalometer. It records MOV and AVI files, where the GX7 records MP4. | ||
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 | MP4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GX7 is the more self-sufficient body for fill light, offering a built-in flash the E-PL7 omits, though both accept external flash units. Each pairs a 3-inch LCD with a flip screen and touch control for low-angle work and quick changes. WiFi on both enables wireless transfer to a phone. Neither has GPS, weather sealing or Bluetooth, so neither body records location data on its own. | ||
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 | 10400001150001500000 |
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 BatteryStorage is shared here, but the batteries are not. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and both carry a 350-shot battery rating, so the same spare cards work in either body. The E-PL7 uses the BLS-50 battery and the GX7 a Panasonic lithium-ion pack, so spare batteries do not transfer. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | Li-Ion, 7.2V, 1200 mAh |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 for eye-level shooting in bright light. Its electronic viewfinder and 1/8000 second shutter suit daylight work, and its built-in flash covers quick indoor fill.
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL7 when speed and a lighter carry lead. Its 8 fps drive and 81 autofocus points suit moving subjects, and at 357 g it is the lighter body to carry. Both share the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so your lenses work on either.