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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS12, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FS12 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FS12 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 2 years after the FS12 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PM1 scores vs the FS12 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FS12

 E-PM1 FS12 
LaunchedNovember 2011April 2009More modern by 32 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FS12 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS12

 E-PM1 FS12 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 has got outside 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) whilst the Panasonic FS12 has dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the FS12.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and FS12 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through specs. The image here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and FS12.

All in all, the two cameras feature the identical megapixels but different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 comes with the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF less difficult. The younger E-PM1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography information
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
21
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Panasonic FS12 Street photography info
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Sports photography camera
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
no phase detect auto focus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FS12 Travel photography factors
45
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS12
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2011-11-23 2009-04-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
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
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 31-124mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lb) 129 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 -
Type of battery 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 card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $499 $228