Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
![Olympus PEN E-PM1 front Olympus PEN E-PM1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Olympus_PEN_E-PM1_0.jpg)
![Samsung NX100 front Samsung NX100 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Samsung-NX100.jpg)
88 Imaging
55 Features
54 Overall
54
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 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
- Launched November 2011
- Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 282g - 120 x 71 x 35mm
- Launched September 2010
- New Model is Samsung NX200
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Overview
Let's look more closely at the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung NX100, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the NX100 (15MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and NX100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The E-PM1 was unveiled 15 months after the NX100 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PM1 grades vs the NX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Samsung NX100. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery and Samsung NX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Samsung NX100
E-PM1 | NX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2011 | ![]() | September 2010 | More modern by 15 months |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX100 over the Olympus E-PM1
NX100 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+154k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung NX100
E-PM1 | NX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Samsung NX100 has proportions of 120mm x 71mm x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung NX100 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 vs the NX100.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 size comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX100-size-comparison.jpg)
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and NX100 is 89 and 88 respectively.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX100-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The picture underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and NX100.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM1 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Samsung NX100 will give extra detail having an extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The younger E-PM1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 sensor size comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX100-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX100-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX100 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung NX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Samsung |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung NX100 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-11-23 | 2010-09-14 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VI | DRIMe Engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 15MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Available lenses | 107 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 614 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | VGA AMOLED |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 6.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/160 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 265 gr (0.58 pounds) | 282 gr (0.62 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 120 x 71 x 35mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 52 | 62 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.3 | 10.7 |
DXO Low light score | 499 | 563 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 images | 420 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch cost | $499 | $386 |