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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 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
  • Announced November 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Released July 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the GH1 (12MP) is pretty similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 2 years later than the GH1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-PM1 matches up against the GH1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GH1

 E-PM1 GH1 
ReleasedNovember 2011July 2009Fresher by 29 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 GH1 E-PM1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH1

 E-PM1 GH1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 offers external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic GH1 has measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PM1 against the GH1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and GH1 is 89 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The graphic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and GH1.

All in all, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of files however you should really take the age of the products into consideration. The more recent E-PM1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
59
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Street photography camera
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic GH1
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
32
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery (320 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography information
Panasonic GH1 Travel photography information
45
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
58
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (320 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography advice
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery (320 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Vlogging camera
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing microphone support
72
display is selfie friendly
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2011-11-23 2009-07-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
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 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 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
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 grams (0.58 pounds) 385 grams (0.85 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 52 64
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 21.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 11.6
DXO Low light score 499 772
Other
Battery life 330 shots 320 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Price at launch $499 $949