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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Older Model is Panasonic GX7
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GX8, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and GX8 (20MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the GX8 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the GX8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GX8

 E-PM1 GX8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Olympus E-PM1

 GX8 E-PM1 
LaunchedJuly 2015November 2011Fresher by 44 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GX8

 E-PM1 GX8 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys outer dimensions 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 GX8 has measurements of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") and a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GX8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PM1 and the GX8.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and GX8 is 89 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out specs. The visual here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and GX8.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can expect the Panasonic GX8 to show more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The older E-PM1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GX8 Portrait photography highlights
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
75
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Panasonic GX8 Street photography info
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
80
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GX8 Sports photography advice
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
68
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
not so great battery pack (330 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography features
Panasonic GX8 Travel photography features
45
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
environment proof
includes touch focus
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery pack (330 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography details
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proof
not so great battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GX8 Vlogging highlights
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
81
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GX8
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2011-11-23 2015-07-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.77x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 487 grams (1.07 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 75
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 12.6
DXO Low light score 499 806
Other
Battery life 330 photos 330 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $499 $898