Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M
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 NX300M front Samsung NX300M front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/w300/fronton/Samsung_NX300M_7.jpg)
86 Imaging
62 Features
73 Overall
66
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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Overview
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The 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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
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.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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.
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M size comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX300M-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX300M-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX300M-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung NX300M Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM1-vs-Samsung-NX300M-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
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 |