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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Raise to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Introduced January 2005
  • Also referred to as EVOLT E-300
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-330
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
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-300 was launched 7 years earlier than the E-PM1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-300 grades versus the E-PM1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-300 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-300

 E-PM1 E-300 
LaunchedNovember 2011January 2005Fresher by 83 months
Screen sizing3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution460k134kClearer screen (+326k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-300 E-PM1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-300 has exterior measurements of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") having a weight of 624 grams (1.38 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 Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-300 vs the E-PM1.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-300 and E-PM1 is 67 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-300 and E-PM1.

Clearly, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-PM1 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-300 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-300
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
48
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (8 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
51
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
max ISO too low (400)
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography details
45
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low MP (8MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
43
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (8 megapixels)
max ISO too low (400)
missing Timelapse function
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus E-300Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-300 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Alternative name EVOLT E-300 -
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2005-01-10 2011-11-23
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 3264 x 2448 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 400 12800
Highest boosted ISO 1600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 3 35
Lens
Lens mounting type 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 diagonal 1.8 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 134k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
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)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 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 624 gr (1.38 pounds) 265 gr (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $800 $499