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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Launched November 2003
  • Renewed by Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PM2, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both produced by Olympus. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was announced 10 years prior to the E-PM2 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-1 matches up versus the E-PM2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-1 E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-1

 E-PM2 E-1 
LaunchedMay 2013November 2003Newer by 115 months
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kClearer screen (+326k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-1 E-PM2 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-1 enjoys physical dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM2 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PM2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-1 versus the E-PM2.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and E-PM2 is 59 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The image below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and E-PM2.

As you have seen, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus E-PM2 to provide greater detail with its extra 11MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (5 megapixels)
71
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than competition (735g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-1
Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
47
lighter than competition (735 grams)
weather proofing
no Timelapse recording
low MP (5MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
66
supports touch to focus
good MP (16MP)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no external microphone port
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus E-1Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2003-11-29 2013-05-21
Body design Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 1.8" 3"
Resolution of display 134 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
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 All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 932
Other
Battery life - 360 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $1,700 $448