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Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2009
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
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are created by Olympus. The resolution of the FE-45 (10MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the FE-45 (1/2.3") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FE-45 was brought out 3 years prior to the E-PM1 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus FE-45 being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the FE-45 scores against the E-PM1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FE-45 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus FE-45

 E-PM1 FE-45 
LaunchedNovember 2011January 2009Newer by 35 months
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Olympus E-PM1

 FE-45 E-PM1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus FE-45 offers outside dimensions of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the FE-45 against the E-PM1.

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FE-45 and E-PM1 is 95 and 89 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The pic below may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FE-45 and E-PM1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FE-45 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Olympus E-PM1 will resolve extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged FE-45 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography highlights
56
image stabilization (Digital)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus FE-45
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
26
image stabilization (Digital)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus FE-45
Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
51
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
45
missing Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
27
image stabilization (Digital)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.5")
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-45 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Olympus FE-45 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus FE-45Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus FE-45 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-01-07 2011-11-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 36-108mm (3.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
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 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 142 gr (0.31 lbs) 265 gr (0.58 lbs)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 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 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $130 $499