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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Announced November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS50, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZS50 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM1 was introduced 4 years before the ZS50 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the E-PM1 matches up vs the ZS50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic ZS50

 E-PM1 ZS50 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Olympus E-PM1

 ZS50 E-PM1 
ReleasedJanuary 2015November 2011More recent by 38 months
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS50

 E-PM1 ZS50 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor 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") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 vs the ZS50.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM1 and ZS50 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and ZS50.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The E-PM1 features the bigger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh simpler. The older E-PM1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
42
focusing manually
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography features
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
68
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography advice
45
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography highlights
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging factors
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no external mic port
34
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic port
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic ZS50
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-11-23 2015-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 gr (0.58 pounds) 243 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 44
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 11.2
DXO Low light score 499 138
Other
Battery life 330 shots 300 shots
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $499 $350