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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 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
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Introduced November 2011
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the 3D1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and 3D1 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was revealed around the same time to the 3D1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PM1 matches up against the 3D1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic 3D1

 E-PM1 3D1 
Manually focus More precise focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 3D1 E-PM1 
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic 3D1

 E-PM1 3D1 
IntroducedNovember 2011November 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 offers external 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) whilst the Panasonic 3D1 has proportions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PM1 against the 3D1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and 3D1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and 3D1.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower DOF simpler.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
27
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
Panasonic 3D1 Street photography advice
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic 3D1
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Panasonic 3D1 Travel photography features
45
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
provides touch focus
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography info
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
36
rather wide (25mm)
big screen (3.5 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
34
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic 3D1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-11-23 2011-11-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.5"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 193 grams (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 200 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $499 $670