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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 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
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FP1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FP1 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was launched 23 months after the FP1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the E-PM1 grades against the FP1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FP1

 E-PM1 FP1 
ReleasedNovember 2011January 2010Newer by 23 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FP1 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FP1

 E-PM1 FP1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 features external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic FP1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PM1 vs the FP1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and FP1 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and FP1.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 uses the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF simpler. The fresher E-PM1 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography information
Panasonic FP1 Street photography information
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
55
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
heavier than others in class (151g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Sports photography camera
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Travel photography camera
45
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (151g)
low resolution (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
heavier than others in class (151g)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FP1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Introduced 2011-11-23 2010-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus range - 10cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 lb) 151 grams (0.33 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $499 $153