• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic LX7 advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    297g vs 497g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic LX7

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 3.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.0 vs 20.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    757 vs 147 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 12 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Fast lens; Sharp lens; Rock-solid image stabilization; Fast autofocus and shutter lag; Level gauge.

  • Sluggish startup; Battery life lower; Switches can change accidentally; Slow buffer clearing.

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic LX7
Olympus E-M5
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Samsung EX2F

Panasonic LX7
Samsung EX2F
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More dots on screen
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-M1
Samsung EX2F
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $479
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic LX7
Panasonic GH3
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Leica D-LUX 6

Panasonic LX7
Leica D-LUX 6
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $1600
  • 1/1.7 inch
Olympus E-M1
Leica D-LUX 6
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1600
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Panasonic LX7
Panasonic GX8
  • $297
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GX8
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
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