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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 front
Portability
90
Imaging
55
Features
70
Overall
61

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 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
  • Released November 2011
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GX850
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GX850, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and GX850 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was announced 6 years before the GX850 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the GX850 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GX850

 E-PM1 GX850 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX850 over the Olympus E-PM1

 GX850 E-PM1 
LaunchedJanuary 2017November 2011More modern by 62 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GX850

 E-PM1 GX850 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 has external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic GX850 has measurements of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GX850 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 against the GX850.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and GX850 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The picture below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and GX850.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic GX850 to provide you with extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GX850 Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
66
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Panasonic GX850
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic GX850
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
52
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (210 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic GX850 Travel photography advice
45
no Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
79
provides focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery power (210 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GX850 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
71
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (210 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Panasonic GX850
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
73
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
provides face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GX850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GX850
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850
Also called as - Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-11-23 2017-01-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3448
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/500s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s -
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 13.3
DXO Low light rating 499 586
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 210 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 10 sec, 3 images/10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $499 $548