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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

Below is a thorough comparison of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic FS15, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FS15 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FS15 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 2 years later than the FS15 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PM1 scores vs the FS15 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FS15

 E-PM1 FS15 
ReleasedNovember 2011January 2009More recent by 35 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FS15 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS15

 E-PM1 FS15 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 comes with exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FS15 has measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic FS15 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the E-PM1 vs the FS15.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and FS15 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and FS15.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have the same resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PM1 has got the bigger sensor which will make getting shallower DOF less difficult. The more recent E-PM1 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
Panasonic FS15 Street photography features
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
Panasonic FS15 Sports photography info
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Travel photography camera
45
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography info
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
28
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2011-11-23 2009-01-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 29-145mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 136 grams (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 photos -
Style 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $499 $180