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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Successor is Olympus E-P2
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
  • Released November 2011
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both of them are sold by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-P1 (12MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-P1 was released 3 years prior to the E-PM1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-P1 matches up vs the E-PM1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-P1 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-P1

 E-PM1 E-P1 
ReleasedNovember 2011July 2009More recent by 28 months
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM1

 E-P1 E-PM1 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-P1 features exterior measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM1 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-P1 against the E-PM1.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P1 and E-PM1 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-P1 and E-PM1.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures though you would want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The older E-P1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
43
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
45
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery (300 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone jack
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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM1
 Olympus PEN E-P1Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-07-29 2011-11-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V 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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 gr (0.78 lb) 265 gr (0.58 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 52
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.3
DXO Low light rating 536 499
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 330 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $182 $499