Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 vs Olympus E-500

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500
      58
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      51
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and the Olympus E-500, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 was introduced in October 2009 and Olympus E-500 was introduced in October 2005. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Highlights

      • 12 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 23 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • Electronic (Optional) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Olympus E-500 Highlights

      • 8 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 400 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 2.5" 215k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
      4. Advantage of Olympus E-500
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-500.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 54
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Panasonic GF1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 over Olympus E-500.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 vs Olympus E-500
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel vs 8 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 400
      Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 vs 3264 x 2448
      More Focus Points 23 vs 3
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 215k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      HDMI Output Mini Type C vs
      Built-in Microphone Mono vs
      Lighter 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz) vs 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1.

      Panasonic GF7
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Panasonic GF3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Panasonic GF8
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Panasonic GF5
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.1 MP

      Panasonic GF6
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Panasonic GF2
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20.4 MP

      Hasselblad X1D II 50C
      Image cannot be found

      Medium format

      50 MP

      Nikon D100
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Samsung NX10
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      15 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 100
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      Medium format

      102 MP

      Leica T Typ 701
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      APS-C

      16.3 MP

      Advantage of Olympus E-500

      Olympus E-500
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-500 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 vs Olympus E-500
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-500.

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-420
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-300
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-510
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-450
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-620
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-600
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-330
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      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      5 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Olympus E-500
        Built-in Flash
        Light385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)
      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Olympus E-500
        Small SensorMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
        Low Resolution Sensor12 Megapixel8 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO3,200400
        Timelapse Recording
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot215k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps2.5 fps
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Olympus E-500 has a 2.5" screen with 215k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has a built-in Electronic (Optional) viewfinderOlympus E-500 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. magnification and Olympus E-500 has 95% coverage with 0.90x (0.45x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 features a 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Olympus E-500 features a 8 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 400 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is equipped with Venus Engine HD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Olympus E-500 can take pictures up to 3264 x 2448 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Olympus E-500 has Four Thirds lens mount. Due to their Micro Four Thirds sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Olympus E-500 nothing can be done. On Olympus E-500 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      External Storage Slots

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card slot. Olympus E-500 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-500. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Olympus E-500 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Olympus E-500. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and 1/180 sec on Olympus E-500.

      Physical Parameters

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 body has dimensions of 119 x 71 x 36 mm (4.69 x 2.8 x 1.43") and Olympus E-500 body has dimensions of 130 x 95 x 66 mm (5.12 x 3.74 x 2.6"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 weighs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz) and Olympus E-500 weighs 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      119 mm

      71 mm

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      130 mm

      95 mm

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      71 mm

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      95 mm

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      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-500

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-500 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      POOR
      53
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      POOR
      51
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      GOOD
      75
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      GOOD
      80
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      GOOD
      80
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and Olympus E-500 and give them scores of 58 and 51 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      OVERALL
      58
      OVERALL
      51

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 54
      POOR
      54
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      POOR
      52
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      BAD
      9
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 215k dot

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      POOR
      40
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

      Olympus E-500

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 380 shots
      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 479 g (1.06 lb / 16.90 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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