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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 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
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF1
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF3
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GF2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the GF2 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 10 months later than the GF2 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PM1 grades against the GF2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GF2

 E-PM1 GF2 
ReleasedNovember 2011February 2011Fresher by 10 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Olympus E-PM1

 GF2 E-PM1 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GF2

 E-PM1 GF2 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF2 has specifications of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GF2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 versus the GF2.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and GF2 is 89 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking specs. The graphic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and GF2.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you should expect similar quality of files however you should always consider the release date of the products into consideration. The younger E-PM1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
Panasonic GF2 Street photography advice
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
65
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF2 Sports photography highlights
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of phase detect autofocus
38
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Panasonic GF2 Travel photography features
45
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Landscape photography camera
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
Panasonic GF2 Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
32
touchscreen capability
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GF2
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-11-23 2011-02-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Venus Engine FHD
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lbs) 310 gr (0.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 10.3
DXO Low light score 499 506
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 300 photographs
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $499 $330