Olympus E-PL7 Review – Performance

When it comes to the camera’s general level of performance, the good news is that the E-PL7 generally delivers a good standard in almost all of its areas.

In terms of focusing, the E-PL7 utilises an 81-point system which on the whole performs well. In general shooting there’s very little noticeable hunting, although there is the odd occasion at which it fails to gain the correct focus.

In low light, however, the powerful AF assist beam ensures that correct focus is achieved in darker conditions, while if you are to utilise the touch screen on the rear of the camera correct and speedy focus is simple and effective.

Although the E-PL7 is lacking in any kind of viewfinder, the vari-angle touchscreen allows for effective composition at a wide range and variety of angles. That being said, as mentioned earlier the screen itself isn’t the best implementation of a vari-angle touchscreen and further evidence that manufacturer’s shouldn’t chase the ‘selfie’ market exclusively.

Olympus E-PL7 vari-angle screen

Manual let-down

Another slight disappointment with the camera is how it performs when you’re looking to shoot in the manual shooting mode. This is mostly down to the fact that the model only features one control dial and unfortunately you can’t utilise the touchscreen to navigate the various options in the camera’s menu.

As a result you’re dependant on using the buttons located around the camera’s body, all of which are certainly on the small side and can result in incorrect buttons presses for those with larger hands.

In terms of the camera’s battery life, it does improve slightly on its most similar model in the Olympus CSC line-up – the E-M10. While that model is CIPA rated to around 320 images, the E-PL7 manages a CIPA rating of 350 shots.

Out in the field the model generally meets this claim, only really dropping below that level when you extensively use the flash.