• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $999
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 10.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 43 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    894 vs 553 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 55 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    39 vs 22 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic LX100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
Olympus PEN-F
Sony RX100 III
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus PEN-F
Canon G7X
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic LX100
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus PEN-F
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Canon G5X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G5X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Olympus PEN-F
Canon G5X
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic LX100
Panasonic GX85
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • NFC
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
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