Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1
89 Imaging
59 Features
65 Overall
61


89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Canon EF-M Mount
- 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
- Launched July 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Announced November 2011
- Later Model is Olympus E-PM2

Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview
Its time to examine more in depth at the Canon M versus Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Canon and Olympus. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the M (18MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) and the M (APS-C) and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor sizes.

The M was announced 9 months after the E-PM1 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the M grades against the E-PM1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon EOS M & Olympus PEN E-PM1. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon M Gallery & Olympus E-PM1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon M over the Olympus E-PM1
M | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2012 | ![]() | November 2011 | Newer by 9 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+580k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Canon M
E-PM1 | M |
---|
Common features in the Canon M and Olympus E-PM1
M | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon M provides outside measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM1 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon M versus Olympus E-PM1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the M against the E-PM1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M and E-PM1 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the M and E-PM1.
As you can plainly see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M having a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Canon M will render extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern M provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications
Canon EOS M | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Olympus |
Model type | Canon EOS M | Olympus PEN E-PM1 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-07-23 | 2011-11-23 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 5 | TruePic VI |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 22.3 x 14.9mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 332.3mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3456 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 31 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Canon EF-M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 23 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1.6 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,040k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen tech | Clear View II TFT LCD | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 298g (0.66 pounds) | 265g (0.58 pounds) |
Dimensions | 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 65 | 52 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.1 | 21.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.2 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 827 | 499 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photographs | 330 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | LP-E12 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Launch pricing | $510 | $499 |