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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 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
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic FH6, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FH6 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was brought out within a month of the FH6 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-PM1 scores against the FH6 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FH6

 E-PM1 FH6 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FH6 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FH6

 E-PM1 FH6 
AnnouncedNovember 2011January 2012Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic FH6 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic FH6 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM1 against the FH6.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and FH6 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and FH6.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 because of its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic FH6 will give greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH6
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (119g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FH6 Sports photography advice
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
great battery pack (280 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Panasonic FH6
45
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
great battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (119g)
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
41
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
great battery pack (280 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
32
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than average in class (119 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FH6
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-11-23 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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 gr (0.58 pounds) 119 gr (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 280 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $499 $129