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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 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
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF2
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was unveiled 2 years after the GF1 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-PM1 scores versus the GF1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GF1

 E-PM1 GF1 
IntroducedNovember 2011October 2009Newer by 26 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 GF1 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GF1

 E-PM1 GF1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 features outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GF1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 vs the GF1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and GF1 is 89 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specs. The picture here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and GF1.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures although you really should factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern E-PM1 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography info
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Panasonic GF1 Street photography info
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography info
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
great battery life (380 shots)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
45
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
59
great battery life (380 per charge)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography highlights
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
missing Timelapse function
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (380 shots)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging advice
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
25
supports face detect focus
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-11-23 2009-10-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 385 gr (0.85 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.3
DXO Low light score 499 513
Other
Battery life 330 images 380 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots One One
Price at release $499 $400