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Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Canon A2100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
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Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Here is a detailed analysis of the Canon A2100 IS versus Olympus E-PM1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Canon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the A2100 IS (12MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is pretty close but the A2100 IS (1/2.3") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) posses different sensor measurements.

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The A2100 IS was manufactured 3 years earlier than the E-PM1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon A2100 IS being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the A2100 IS matches up against the E-PM1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Olympus E-PM1

 A2100 IS E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Canon A2100 IS

 E-PM1 A2100 IS 
RevealedNovember 2011February 2009Fresher by 33 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Olympus E-PM1

 A2100 IS E-PM1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon A2100 IS provides exterior measurements of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM1 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A2100 IS versus Olympus E-PM1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the A2100 IS compared to the E-PM1.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the A2100 IS and E-PM1 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A2100 IS and E-PM1.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor sizing. The A2100 IS provides the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field harder. The older A2100 IS will be behind in sensor tech.

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
26
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A2100 IS
Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Sports photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
50
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
45
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
32
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no mic support
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Canon A2100 IS vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A2100 IS and Olympus E-PM1
 Canon PowerShot A2100 ISOlympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Brand Canon Olympus
Model Canon PowerShot A2100 IS Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-02-18 2011-11-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 35
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 36-216mm (6.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.2-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.8 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lb) 265g (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 499
Other
Battery life - 330 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $220 $499