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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Revealed October 2019
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
  • Announced November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Nikon Z50 versus Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The Z50 was manufactured 7 years later than the E-PM1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the Z50 scores versus the E-PM1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Olympus E-PM1

 Z50 E-PM1 
AnnouncedOctober 2019November 2011Fresher by 96 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon Z50

 E-PM1 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-PM1

 Z50 E-PM1 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 features outside measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst 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).

Check out the Nikon Z50 versus Olympus E-PM1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the Z50 against the E-PM1.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and E-PM1 is 74 and 89 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Z50 and E-PM1.

Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z50 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon Z50 will result in extra detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The younger Z50 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
80
manual focus
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than others (397g)
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography features
75
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z50
Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
77
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
heavier than others (397 grams)
45
does not have Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
79
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
MP count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no image stabilization
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
71
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic jack
no image stabilization
heavier than others (397 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have mic support
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Nikon Z50 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon Z50Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z50 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-10-10 2011-11-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 TruePic VI
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 209 35
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 15 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 pounds) 265 gr (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 52
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 499
Other
Battery life 320 shots 330 shots
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $857 $499