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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Revealed October 2013
  • Updated by 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
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-PM1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Olympus. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 was released 24 months later than the E-PM1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 grades vs the E-PM1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M1 E-PM1 
RevealedOctober 2013November 2011Fresher by 24 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 E-PM1 E-M1 

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

 E-M1 E-PM1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 provides exterior dimensions 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-PM1 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-PM1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 compared to the E-PM1.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and E-PM1 is 71 and 89 respectively.

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

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and E-PM1.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1 to offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The newer E-M1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

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

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

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

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/320s)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
78
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment proofing
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
environment proofing
provides focus by touch
resolution is good (16MP)
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
45
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
not so great battery life (350 shots)
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
36
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
lighter than others in class (497 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-10-28 2011-11-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII TruePic VI
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 81 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
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
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 497 grams (1.10 lbs) 265 grams (0.58 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 52
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 10.3
DXO Low light rating 757 499
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 330 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $799 $499