TechRadar compares the OM System PEN and Panasonic Lumix L10

TechRadar’s Timothy Coleman compared the OM System PEN and Panasonic Lumix L10 during a work trip to China. Coleman said he is still testing the PEN for a full review, but described early differences between the cameras.

The PEN has a Micro Four Thirds mount and can be bought body-only or with a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III kit lens, equivalent to 28-84mm. The lens and camera body are splash-proof. The L10 has a built-in 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 lens, equivalent to 24-75mm. Its lens is smaller and brighter, and its optical zoom is 3.1x, compared with 3x for the PEN. Coleman preferred the L10 when comparing the cameras with the PEN’s kit lens, while noting that interchangeable lenses give the PEN more options. He also used a 45mm f/1.8 lens on the PEN, equivalent to 90mm.

The cameras have similar-sized bodies, rangefinder-style 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinders and 3-inch articulating touchscreens. The L10’s screen has higher resolution. Battery ratings are 420 shots for the L10 and 410 for the PEN. Their sensors are rated at 26.5MP and 20.4MP, respectively, but Coleman says the L10 uses 20.4MP effective pixels because of its built-in lens. The PEN adds 5-axis stabilization, rated up to 5.5EV, and computational modes including Live ND up to 4EV, High-Res shot, focus stacking and HDR. The L10 also offers High-Res shot and video recording at 5.6K and 5.2K. Coleman said its retractable lens takes 2 seconds to extend before the camera is ready to shoot.