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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • New Model is Olympus E-P2
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
  • Launched May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the E-P1 (12MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-P1 was announced 4 years before the E-PM2 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-P1 grades versus the E-PM2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-P1 E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-P1

 E-PM2 E-P1 
LaunchedMay 2013July 2009More modern by 46 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-P1 E-PM2 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P1 offers outer dimensions 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-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).

See the Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-P1 and the E-PM2.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-P1 and E-PM2 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The picture below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-P1 and E-PM2.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PM2 to give you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The more aged E-P1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Street photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography factors
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-P1
Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
43
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
66
boasts touch to focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P1 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging factors
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no microphone jack
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Olympus E-P1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P1 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus PEN E-P1Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-07-29 2013-05-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V -
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes 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
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355 grams (0.78 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Physical 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 All around rating 55 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 12.2
DXO Low light rating 536 932
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 360 photographs
Form 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
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $182 $448