• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-P5 advantages over Olympus E-PL7

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 8.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.9 fps vs 8.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL7 advantages over Olympus E-P5

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $1450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    24 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL7

Review Excerpt

  • Handsome retro styling; Very good image quality and dynamic range, with competitive high ISO performance; Lightning fast autofocusing; Excellent burst speeds (nearly 10fps at full res); Top shutter speed of 1/8000 second; Sharp, bright 17mm f/1.8 kit lens; 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots of resolution.

  • Heavier than some mirrorless models; Weak flash; Below average battery life; No built-in viewfinder (but EVF available in a kit or for separate purchase); A bit pricey compared to the similar E-M5, which offers a built-in EVF and weather sealing at about the same price.

  • Excellent image quality for its class including very good ISO performance; Improved performance and ergonomics over the E-PL5; LCD tilts 180 degree downward for easier selfies; Upgraded 3-axis IS system.

  • No built-in flash (but a small add-on flash is included); No built-in EVF; Default colors somewhat muted; Somewhat quirky menu system.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-P3
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-P3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-M5
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-M5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus E-PL5

Olympus E-P5
Olympus E-PL5
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $329
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus E-PL7
Olympus E-PL5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $329
  • 4/3

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GF6
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GF6
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GX7
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-PL7
Panasonic GX7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
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