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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Below is a complete overview of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both created by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was released 18 months before the E-PM2 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the E-PM2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-PM1 E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-PM1

 E-PM2 E-PM1 
AnnouncedMay 2013November 2011More recent by 18 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-PM1 E-PM2 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM2 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus 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 vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PM1 versus the E-PM2.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and E-PM2 is 89 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by checking specs. The graphic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and E-PM2.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Olympus E-PM2 to give greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography highlights
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography features
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have phase detect auto focus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
45
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
66
comes with touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic jack
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-11-23 2013-05-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 35
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 499 932
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 360 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $499 $448