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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 front
Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic FZ70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 606g - 130 x 97 x 118mm
  • Revealed July 2013
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and FZ70 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and FZ70 (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 20 months prior to the FZ70 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-PM1 scores versus the FZ70 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic FZ70

 E-PM1 FZ70 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ70 over the Olympus E-PM1

 FZ70 E-PM1 
RevealedJuly 2013November 2011Newer by 20 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FZ70

 E-PM1 FZ70 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys external 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) and the Panasonic FZ70 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6") and a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the FZ70.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and FZ70 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and FZ70.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic FZ70 will give you extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic FZ70 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
56
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ70 Street photography factors
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
49
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (606 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FZ70 as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
55
long zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery life (400 shots)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography information
Panasonic FZ70 Travel photography information
45
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
55
good battery life (400 shots)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (20mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (606g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ70
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
54
focusing manually
really wide (20mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (400 per charge)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic FZ70 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
26
really wide (20mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (606g)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic FZ70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic FZ70
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-11-23 2013-07-18
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 20-1200mm (60.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 202 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.50 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
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 1920 x 1080 (50i/60i, 25p/30p), 1280 x 720p (50p/60p or 25p/30p), 640 x 480 (25p/30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 pounds) 606 gr (1.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 130 x 97 x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 41
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 19.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.8
DXO Low light score 499 171
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 400 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $499 $300