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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Launched January 2016
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both produced by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 was launched 3 years earlier than the PEN-F and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-M1 grades against the PEN-F with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Olympus PEN-F

 E-M1 PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Olympus E-M1

 PEN-F E-M1 
LaunchedJanuary 2016October 2013Fresher by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Olympus PEN-F

 E-M1 PEN-F 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Screen resolution1037k1037kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 has outside measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") with a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Olympus PEN-F has proportions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-M1 vs the PEN-F.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and PEN-F is 71 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The visual below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and PEN-F.

To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus PEN-F to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older E-M1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography details
Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
75
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
Olympus PEN-F Street photography details
78
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment proof
lighter than average in class (497g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
84
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1
Sports photography with Olympus PEN-F
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (350 shots)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
bad battery pack (330 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than average in class (497 grams)
environment proof
offers focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
75
has focus by touch
decent MP (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
Olympus PEN-F Vlogging info
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic port
lighter than average in class (497g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Olympus PEN-F
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Olympus PEN-F
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Olympus PEN-F
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-10-28 2016-01-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePIC VII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 81 81
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.62x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom 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 Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 gr (1.10 lb) 427 gr (0.94 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 74
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 12.4
DXO Low light rating 757 894
Other
Battery life 350 images 330 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $799 $1,000