Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


85 Imaging
37 Features
67 Overall
49
Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Key Specs
(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
- Introduced November 2011
- Successor is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
- Released December 2012

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Overview
On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") offer different sensor dimensions.

The E-PM1 was introduced 13 months before the XZ-2 iHS making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.
Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PM1 grades versus the XZ-2 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS
E-PM1 | XZ-2 iHS |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Olympus E-PM1
XZ-2 iHS | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2012 | ![]() | November 2011 | Newer by 13 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+460k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS
E-PM1 | XZ-2 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Physical Comparison
If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 provides exterior 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) and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has specifications of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Olympus XZ-2 iHS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PM1 versus the XZ-2 iHS.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and XZ-2 iHS is 89 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specs. The pic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and XZ-2 iHS.
All in all, both the cameras provide the same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 provides the larger sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh less difficult. The more aged E-PM1 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Olympus XZ-2 iHS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Olympus XZ-2 iHS |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-11-23 | 2012-12-18 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VI | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 3968 x 2976 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | - | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 8.60 m (ISO 800) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 265g (0.58 lbs) | 346g (0.76 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 52 | 49 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.0 | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 11.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 499 | 216 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photos | 340 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | Li-90B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $499 | $450 |