Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
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70 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
- Released March 2011
- Previous Model is Panasonic GH1
- Refreshed by Panasonic GH3
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview
The following is a extended analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GH2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and GH2 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).
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The E-PM1 was unveiled 9 months after the GH2 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PM1 scores versus the GH2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Panasonic GH2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GH2
E-PM1 | GH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2011 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Olympus E-PM1
GH2 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH2
E-PM1 | GH2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Equal screen resolution |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 offers physical dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH2 has specifications of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") and a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GH2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 and the GH2.
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Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and GH2 is 89 and 70 respectively.
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The image here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and GH2.
All in all, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic GH2 to offer you extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer E-PM1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-11-23 | 2011-03-23 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | 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 | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 15.60 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 gr (0.58 lb) | 442 gr (0.97 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 52 | 60 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 11.3 |
DXO Low light score | 499 | 655 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 pictures | 330 pictures |
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 feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $499 | $1,000 |