Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49


90 Imaging
40 Features
60 Overall
48
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Key Specs
(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
- Announced November 2011
- New Model is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 4.8" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 283g - 133 x 71 x 19mm
- Released January 2014

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Overview
Below is a in-depth analysis of the Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Samsung. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and Galaxy Camera 2 (16MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and Galaxy Camera 2 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

The E-PM1 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the Galaxy Camera 2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 being a Compact camera.
Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-PM1 scores versus the Galaxy Camera 2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2. The full galleries are available at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
E-PM1 | Galaxy Camera 2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 over the Olympus E-PM1
Galaxy Camera 2 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | November 2011 | More recent by 25 months |
Display size | 4.8" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+1.8") |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+577k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
E-PM1 | Galaxy Camera 2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM1 provides outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 has dimensions of 133mm x 71mm x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PM1 vs the Galaxy Camera 2.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and Galaxy Camera 2 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at specs. The graphic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and Galaxy Camera 2.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PM1 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 will resolve extra detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2011-11-23 | 2014-01-02 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VI | 1.6GHz Quad-Core Exynos |
Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 23-483mm (21.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.8-5.9 |
Macro focus distance | - | 10cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 4.8 inches |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 1,037k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | HD Super Clear Touch Display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 16 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill-in, slow sync, flash off, redeye fix |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 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 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 grams (0.58 lb) | 283 grams (0.62 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 133 x 71 x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 52 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 499 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photos | 400 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | Built-in |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2, 5, or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $499 | $400 |