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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 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
  • Released November 2011
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS30
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic FH20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FH20 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM1 was brought out 23 months later than the FH20 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-PM1 scores versus the FH20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FH20

 E-PM1 FH20 
IntroducedNovember 2011January 2010Fresher by 23 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FH20 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FH20

 E-PM1 FH20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with external dimensions 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 Panasonic FH20 has specifications of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic FH20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 against the FH20.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and FH20 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and FH20.

As you can see, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic FH20 will result in extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-PM1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic FH20 Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
Panasonic FH20 Street photography features
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FH20 Sports photography factors
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
Panasonic FH20 Travel photography info
45
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
64
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography highlights
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
missing Timelapse function
37
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FH20 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external microphone port
28
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FH20
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Also called - Lumix DMC-FS30
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-11-23 2010-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-224mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.80 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 178 grams (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $499 $179