Clicky

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II front
Portability
81
Imaging
58
Features
75
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic LX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 17MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 392g - 115 x 66 x 64mm
  • Announced August 2018
  • Superseded the Panasonic LX100
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic LX100 II, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the LX100 II (17MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

The E-M1 was released 5 years prior to the LX100 II and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-M1 matches up against the LX100 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic LX100 II

 E-M1 LX100 II 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 II over the Olympus E-M1

 LX100 II E-M1 
AnnouncedAugust 2018October 2013More recent by 58 months
Display resolution1240k1037kSharper display (+203k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic LX100 II

 E-M1 LX100 II 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 has outside dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Panasonic LX100 II has proportions of 115mm x 66mm x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 392 grams (0.86 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 versus Panasonic LX100 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 against the LX100 II.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 and LX100 II is 71 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 and LX100 II.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic LX100 II to produce more detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The older E-M1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic LX100 II Portrait photography advice
71
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320s)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (17MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Panasonic LX100 II
78
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
has focus by touch
weather proofing
lighter than competition (497 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
77
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LX100 II Sports photography highlights
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery power (350 shots)
71
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (17 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
good battery (340 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Panasonic LX100 II
65
lighter than competition (497 grams)
weather proofing
has focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
not so great battery power (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
78
good battery (340 per charge)
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is good (17MP)
decently wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.7)
display is not selfie friendly
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LX100 II Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
76
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (17MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
good battery (340 CIPA)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging information
Panasonic LX100 II Vlogging information
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
lighter than competition (497 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
37
decently wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic LX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic LX100 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-10-28 2018-08-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 17 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4736 x 3552
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 81 49
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-75mm (3.1x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.7-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dot 1,240k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 2,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 1800s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100)
Flash settings Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/320s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) DMW-BLE9 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 497 gr (1.10 lb) 392 gr (0.86 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 115 x 66 x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 757 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 340 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $799 $998