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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 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
  • New Model is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Refreshed by Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM1 was introduced 7 months earlier than the LZ20 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PM1 grades vs the LZ20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic LZ20

 E-PM1 LZ20 
Manual focus More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-PM1

 LZ20 E-PM1 
LaunchedJuly 2012November 2011Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic LZ20

 E-PM1 LZ20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 features outside 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) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has specifications of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PM1 and the LZ20.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and LZ20 is 89 and 71 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and LZ20.

Clearly, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic LZ20 will offer extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography advice
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
36
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography info
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
45
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than average (499g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Sports photography camera
49
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
has no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery power (380 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ20
45
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
58
better than average battery power (380 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (499g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography features
65
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
45
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
25
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than average (499 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-11-23 2012-07-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 499g (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 380 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $499 $250