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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P2
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus E-P1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both designed by Olympus. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-P1 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was introduced 10 years later than the E-P1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 III scores against the E-P1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-P1

 E-M1 III E-P1 
ReleasedFebruary 2020July 2009More recent by 129 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-P1 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-P1

 E-M1 III E-P1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III offers outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-P1 has specifications of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus E-P1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 III versus the E-P1.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and E-P1 is 67 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and E-P1.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Olympus E-M1 III to result in extra detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger E-M1 III provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
77
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography factors
Olympus E-P1 Street photography factors
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
environment sealing
above average ISO range (25,600)
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Sports photography camera
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography advice
Olympus E-P1 Travel photography advice
79
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
43
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery (300 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography information
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
two card slots
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging details
Olympus E-P1 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone socket
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-P1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-P1
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN E-P1
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2020-02-11 2009-07-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 355 grams (0.78 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 420 shots 300 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC card
Card slots 2 Single
Launch price $1,800 $182