Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ100

Following is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FZ100, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FZ100 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 17 months after the FZ100 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up against the FZ100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Panasonic FZ100 Gallery.

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 has got outer 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 FZ100 has measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FZ100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM1 against the FZ100.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and FZ100 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Often, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The pic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and FZ100.

Plainly, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic FZ100 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.