Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


95 Imaging
35 Features
20 Overall
29
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Key Specs
(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
- Announced November 2011
- New Model is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
- Revealed July 2009

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Overview
Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FP8 (12MP) is pretty close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FP8 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

The E-PM1 was revealed 2 years later than the FP8 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the FP8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Panasonic FP8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FP8
E-PM1 | FP8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2011 | ![]() | July 2009 | More recent by 29 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Olympus E-PM1
FP8 | E-PM1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FP8
E-PM1 | FP8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 has outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic FP8 has proportions of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the FP8.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and FP8 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and FP8.
As you have seen, the two cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PM1 comes with the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field easier. The newer E-PM1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FP8 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2011-11-23 | 2009-07-27 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VI | Venus Engine V |
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 | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 28-128mm (4.6x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1300 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 5.50 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265g (0.58 lbs) | 151g (0.33 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" 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 | - |
Battery type | 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 card, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $499 | $300 |