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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-PM1, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was released 9 years earlier than the E-PM1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-1 grades vs the E-PM1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-1 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-1

 E-PM1 E-1 
LaunchedNovember 2011November 2003Fresher by 97 months
Screen size3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kClearer screen (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-1 E-PM1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 features outer measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while 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).

Check out the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-PM1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-1 versus the E-PM1.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and E-PM1 is 59 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and E-PM1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus E-PM1 to produce extra detail as a result of its extra 7 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older E-1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography features
46
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (5 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather proof
lighter than average (735 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (5 megapixels)
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
47
lighter than average (735g)
weather proof
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
45
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-1
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (1.8 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (5MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-1
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
9
can't shoot video
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus E-1Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2003-11-29 2011-11-23
Body design Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 lb) 265 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 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 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,700 $499