Conclusion Get the lowdown
Features How they compare
Performance Real world benchmarks
Differences Technical showdown
Reviews Word on the street
Competition Others to consider
Discussion Answers and opinions

Compare with...

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX100
Canon Powershot S100
Fujifilm Finepix X10
Leica D-Lux 6
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Olympus PEN E-PL1

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Leica D-LUX 5

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from $449

12.2 MP
Four Thirds CMOS
2.7" LCD

older Released February, 2010

Overall detail is obviously more, due to higher megapixel count.

Rated 80% by by Aman-Gupta (Oct, 2010)

from $908

10 MP
3.8x f/2.0
1/1.6" CCD
3" LCD

older Released September, 2010

Indeed we'd suggest that performance at ISO 1600 is the equivalent of ISO 800 on lesser compacts, including Panasonic's pretty good Lumix series.

Rated 80% by by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)

Conclusion Which is better for you?

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Leica D-LUX 5

58%

70%

FeaturesView Details

29%

32%

Popularity

26%

24%

PerformanceView Details

84%

ReviewsView Details

Winner

LeicaD-LUX 5

Overall Score

Features Key features of the Olympus PEN E-PL1 compared to the Leica D-LUX 5

MP12.2

Four Thirds

Given its image quality and sensor size, this camera is definitely small enough and light enough, much more so than any comparable dSLRs.

Rated 80% by by Joseph-L.-Kashi (Jan, 2011)

10 MP

1/1.6"

To the right, at three o'clock, the next key is given over as a shortcut to accessing ISO settings on the fly.

Rated 80% by by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)

megapixels

0 MP

PEN E-PL112.2 MP

D-LUX 510 MP

20 MP

Megapixels are a very misunderstood concept.

PEN E-PL1 by Manish-Bhatia

Generally however the level of detail captured is very good.

D-LUX 5 by Photography Blog (Dec, 2011)

sensor size

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Four Thirds sensor

PEN E-PL1 Four Thirds sensor

Leica D-LUX 5

1/1.6" sensor

D-LUX 5 1/1.6" sensor

It runs on the Four Thirds format, but I immediately told it to shoot stills in 2:3 ratio for easy 4x6 printing, and set the video capture (720p HD, for those of you scoring at home) to 16:9 widescreen.

PEN E-PL1 by I.-Lozada (Jul, 2010)

Granted my 5D is a bit dated now, but it's still pro quality full frame DSLR and better than 80% of all DSLR's out there.

D-LUX 5 by Ben (Nov, 2011)

body size

PEN E-PL1115 x 72 x 42 mm

D-LUX 5110 x 65 x 25 mm

The second type of person is the more advanced user, who is looking for a compact camera, and is willing to sacrifice the advanced functions for an inexpensive alternative when it is just not practical to bring a bunch of equipment along.

PEN E-PL1 by Michael-J.-Clark (Mar, 2012)

I needed a compact camera for everyday use as my DSLR and the equipments are quite heavy to carry around, so I did some research and tested various compact cameras and 4/3 systems cameras, and decided to get this leica camera as it has the best combination of size, build quality, picture quality, and zoom range.

D-LUX 5 by TL (May, 2011)

Performance Real world tests of Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Leica D-LUX 5

max continuous shooting

PEN E-PL13 fps

D-LUX 52.5 fps

3-4 yr olds and above will be fine and there are burst options/modes you can play with to utilize the dart board theory to take multi-pics in those situations.

PEN E-PL1 by Manish-Bhatia

One other thing I did was insert my 128 GB 45MB/s memory card into it and set it to burst mode.

D-LUX 5 by Patrick-D.-Warthen (Aug, 2012)

Differences What are the advantages of each

Full specs comparison

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Read review

Advantages compared to the Leica D-LUX 5

Larger sensor	Four Thirds	vs	1/1.6"
Around 4.5x larger sensor; higher quality photos

Interchangeable lenses	Yes	vs	No
Somewhat common; Use a variety of specialized lenses

Higher resolution	12.2 MP	vs	10 MP
More than 20% higher resolution; Capture more detail, good for large prints

Leica D-LUX 5

Read review

Advantages compared to the Olympus PEN E-PL1

Significantly larger screen	3"	vs	2.7"
More than 10% larger screen

Higher resolution screen	460 k dots	vs	230 k dots
2x higher resolution screen

Higher light sensitivity	12,800 ISO	vs	3,200 ISO
4x higher light sensitivity; Avoid blur in low light situations

Marginally more recently announced	Sep, 2010	vs	Feb, 2010
Announced date 7 months later

Significantly faster max shutter speed	1/4000 s	vs	1/2000 s
2x faster max shutter speed; capture fast action

Thinner	25 mm	vs	42 mm
More than 40% thinner

Smaller	110 x 65 x 25 mm	vs	115 x 72 x 42 mm
Around 50% smaller

Lighter	271 g	vs	334 g
Around 20% lighter

Reviews Word on the street

	Olympus PEN E-PL1		Leica D-LUX 5
	Rated 87% by 68 users at amazon.com I wanted top quality pictures and ease of use. Rated 100% by by Geeves-Beham (Apr, 2012) Of course it's great to have a camera that provides good quality images, but it is also the look and feel that inspires one to go out and actually shoot. Rated 80% by by E-PL1 (Sep, 2011) It is easy to establish a custom white balance so that the true colors of any art are recorded accurately. Rated 100% by by Apis-mellifica-queen--Barb-Bee (Apr, 2010)		Rated 87% by 43 users at amazon.com The Leica D-Lux 5 does an excellent job as a compact camera, and I would highly recommend this if you need a camera that you can easily carry around all the time, capture any great moments that come by in excellent picture quality, and quickly share it with your family and friends. Rated 100% by by TL (May, 2011) The picture quality in JPEG is excellent for a compact camera, especially with the exposure and white balance in indoor situations. Rated 100% by by TL (May, 2011) This camera is small and light, but yet it feels solid, and has good ergonomics. Rated 100% by by TL (May, 2011)