Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M
89 Imaging
47 Features
52 Overall
49
86 Imaging
61 Features
73 Overall
65
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Key Specs
(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
- Introduced November 2011
- Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
- Launched January 2013
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Lets look a little more closely at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Samsung NX300M, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and NX300M (20MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and NX300M (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-PM1 was launched 13 months prior to the NX300M making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PM1 scores vs the NX300M in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PM1 & Samsung NX300M. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM1 Gallery & Samsung NX300M Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Samsung NX300M
| E-PM1 | NX300M |
|---|
Reasons to pick Samsung NX300M over the Olympus E-PM1
| NX300M | E-PM1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | January 2013 | November 2011 | Fresher by 13 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display size | 3.3" | 3" | Larger display (+0.3") | |
| Display resolution | 768k | 460k | Sharper display (+308k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung NX300M
| E-PM1 | NX300M | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 has outer measurements 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 Samsung NX300M has specifications of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") having a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM1 versus Samsung NX300M in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PM1 against the NX300M.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and NX300M is 89 and 86 respectively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Sensor Comparison
Often, it is hard to see the gap between sensor sizing just by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and NX300M.
As you can see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Samsung NX300M will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to 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 NX300M Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung NX300M | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Samsung |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Samsung NX300M |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2011-11-23 | 2013-01-03 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VI | DRIMe IV |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 20MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 5472 x 3648 |
| Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | 35 | 247 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
| Number of lenses | 107 | 32 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3.3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 460k dots | 768k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display technology | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating | Active Matrix OLED screen |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 6.0fps | 9.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash modes | 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 | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/160 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) | 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 265 gr (0.58 lb) | 331 gr (0.73 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 | 330 photos |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BLS-5 | BP1130 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | One | One |
| Cost at release | $499 | $699 |