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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 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
  • Announced November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G2
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic G1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the G1 (12MP) is very well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was announced 2 years later than the G1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PM1 scores against the G1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic G1

 E-PM1 G1 
ReleasedNovember 2011January 2009More recent by 35 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 G1 E-PM1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic G1

 E-PM1 G1 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 has got exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic G1 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") along with a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic G1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PM1 against the G1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and G1 is 89 and 82 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements only by reading through technical specs. The visual below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and G1.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of pictures but you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher E-PM1 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Panasonic G1
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
57
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Panasonic G1
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
72
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G1 as a Sports photography camera
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
33
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography information
Panasonic G1 Travel photography information
45
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
62
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic G1 Landscape photography features
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
57
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
Panasonic G1 Vlogging info
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
no mic port
18
no video
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic G1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic G1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-11-23 2009-01-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/160s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 grams (0.58 pounds) 360 grams (0.79 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 53
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 21.1
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.3
DXO Low light score 499 463
Other
Battery life 330 photos 330 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack 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/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $499 $0