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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Successor is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic SZ1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and SZ1 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was released at a similar time to the SZ1 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-PM1 grades vs the SZ1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 E-PM1 SZ1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 SZ1 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic SZ1

 E-PM1 SZ1 
ReleasedNovember 2011January 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 offers outer dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic SZ1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 versus the SZ1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and SZ1 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The picture underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and SZ1.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic SZ1 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
34
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography highlights
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
low MP (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
45
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
43
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
32
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than competition in class (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-11-23 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 4cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
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 265 grams (0.58 lbs) 131 grams (0.29 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 250 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $499 $179