Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65
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86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Announced October 2013
- Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Launched April 2010
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-P1
- Successor is Olympus E-P3
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-P2, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are designed by Olympus. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and E-P2 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).
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The E-M1 was revealed 3 years later than the E-P2 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 matches up versus the E-P2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 & Olympus PEN E-P2. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery & Olympus E-P2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus E-P2
E-M1 | E-P2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | ![]() | April 2010 | More recent by 43 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+807k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Olympus E-M1
E-P2 | E-M1 |
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Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-P2
E-M1 | E-P2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 has exterior measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Olympus E-P2 has measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-P2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 versus the E-P2.
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Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and E-P2 is 71 and 86 respectively.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and E-P2.
As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Olympus E-M1 to produce more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 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-M1 vs Olympus E-P2 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Olympus PEN E-P2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Olympus PEN E-P2 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-10-28 | 2010-04-22 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePIC VII | TruePic V |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4032 x 3024 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | - | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Flash Auto, 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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/320 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 497g (1.10 pounds) | 355g (0.78 pounds) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 73 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 21.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 10.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 757 | 505 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 pictures | 300 pictures |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC card |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $799 | $799 |