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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Released February 2020
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced November 2011
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PM1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are sold by Olympus. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was announced 8 years later than the E-PM1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise view of how the E-M1 III scores vs the E-PM1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-M1 III E-PM1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020November 2011Fresher by 101 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 E-PM1 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PM1

 E-M1 III E-PM1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PM1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 III against the E-PM1.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 III and E-PM1 is 67 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by seeing specs. The visual here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and E-PM1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus E-M1 III to show greater detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
79
environment proof
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
45
lack of Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging info
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
79
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PM1
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2020-02-11 2011-11-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 35
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 gr (1.28 lb) 265 gr (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 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 420 photos 330 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two Single
Launch pricing $1,800 $499