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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic S1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and S1 (24MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and S1 (Full frame) possess different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was announced 8 years earlier than the S1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a short summary of how the E-PM1 scores vs the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic S1

 E-PM1 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 S1 E-PM1 
LaunchedFebruary 2019November 2011Newer by 87 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kClearer screen (+1640k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic S1

 E-PM1 S1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 features outside measurements 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 Panasonic S1 has specifications of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 versus the S1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and S1 is 89 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through technical specs. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and S1.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic S1 will provide you with extra detail with its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
85
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
Panasonic S1 Street photography details
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
70
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic S1
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
not so great battery (380 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography information
Panasonic S1 Travel photography information
45
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
59
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
not so great battery (380 shots)
more heavy than competition (1,021 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (380 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
Panasonic S1 Vlogging details
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
32
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (1,021g)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-11-23 2019-02-01
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Amount of lenses 107 30
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s 1/320s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 1021 gr (2.25 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 95
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 25.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 14.5
DXO Low light score 499 3333
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 380 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One Two
Pricing at launch $499 $2,498