Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
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95 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 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
- Revealed November 2011
- Updated by Olympus E-PM2
(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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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Panasonic FS15 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FS15
E-PM1 | FS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 35 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus E-PM1
FS15 | E-PM1 |
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Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FS15
E-PM1 | FS15 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.
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Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and FS15 is 89 and 95 respectively.
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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.
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic 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 |