Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2
67 Imaging
41 Features
31 Overall
37
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89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 1.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
- Released January 2005
- Also referred to as EVOLT E-300
- Updated by Olympus E-330
(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
- Revealed May 2013
- Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview
Lets look much closer at the Olympus E-300 versus Olympus E-PM2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).
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The E-300 was introduced 9 years earlier than the E-PM2 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-300 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-300 grades against the E-PM2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-300 and Olympus PEN E-PM2. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-300 Gallery and Olympus E-PM2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Olympus E-PM2
E-300 | E-PM2 |
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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-300
E-PM2 | E-300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2013 | ![]() | January 2005 | Newer by 101 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 1.8" | Bigger screen (+1.2") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 134k | Sharper screen (+326k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Olympus E-PM2
E-300 | E-PM2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-300 offers external dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") and a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM2 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-300 versus Olympus E-PM2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-300 and the E-PM2.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-300 and E-PM2 is 67 and 89 respectively.
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-300 and E-PM2.
Clearly, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should expect the Olympus E-PM2 to result in greater detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-300 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-300 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications
Olympus E-300 | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus E-300 | Olympus PEN E-PM2 |
Also called as | EVOLT E-300 | - |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2005-01-10 | 2013-05-21 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
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 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
Peak resolution | 3264 x 2448 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 400 | 25600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 1600 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 45 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 1.8 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 134 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | - | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) |
Flash settings | Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max 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 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 1.0 (1.5 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 | 624g (1.38 lbs) | 269g (0.59 lbs) |
Physical 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 Overall 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 images |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $800 | $448 |