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Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Introduced July 2007
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
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
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Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Leica M8 versus Olympus E-PM1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Olympus. The image resolution of the M8 (10MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is pretty close but the M8 (APS-H) and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The M8 was introduced 5 years prior to the E-PM1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the M8 grades against the E-PM1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Olympus E-PM1

 M8 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Leica M8

 E-PM1 M8 
RevealedNovember 2011July 2007More modern by 52 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M8 and Olympus E-PM1

 M8 E-PM1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica M8 features exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM1 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Check the Leica M8 versus Olympus E-PM1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the M8 against the E-PM1.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the M8 and E-PM1 is 79 and 89 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The picture underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and E-PM1.

All in all, both of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M8 using its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Olympus E-PM1 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged M8 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography highlights
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
62
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography details
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
better than average battery life (550 per charge)
no liveview
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M8
Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
51
better than average battery life (550 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography factors
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-H)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (550 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
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Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Olympus E-PM1
 Leica M8Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Make Leica Olympus
Model type Leica M8 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2007-07-31 2011-11-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 486.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 3936 x 2630 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 2500 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1.3 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 591 gr (1.30 lb) 265 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 52
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 10.3
DXO Low light rating 663 499
Other
Battery life 550 shots 330 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $4,400 $499