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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Launched January 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PM2, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both built by Olympus. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1X was revealed 5 years after the E-PM2 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1X matches up vs the E-PM2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-M1X E-PM2 
RevealedJanuary 2019May 2013Newer by 70 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-M1X

 E-PM2 E-M1X 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PM2

 E-M1X E-PM2 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1X has exterior dimensions of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PM2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M1X and the E-PM2.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1X and E-PM2 is 54 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1X and E-PM2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1X to give greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The newer E-M1X provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography highlights
76
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography features
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography features
67
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than average in class (997 grams)
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
80
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery pack (870 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
68
great battery pack (870 CIPA)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average in class (997 grams)
66
boasts focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
great battery pack (870 shots)
two card slots
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging highlights
68
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (997g)
36
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus PEN E-PM2
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2019-01-24 2013-05-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Dual TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 8.0fps
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 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes 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
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 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 PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 997 gr (2.20 lbs) 269 gr (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 932
Other
Battery life 870 photos 360 photos
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 1
Price at release $2,999 $448