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Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Samsung SL620 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 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
Samsung SL620
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-175mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 168g - 92 x 61 x 23mm
  • Released February 2009
  • Also Known as PL65
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung SL620, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. The image resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the SL620 (12MP) is relatively close but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and SL620 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

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The E-PM1 was manufactured 2 years later than the SL620 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung SL620 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PM1 grades against the SL620 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Samsung SL620

 E-PM1 SL620 
ReleasedNovember 2011February 2009Fresher by 34 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung SL620 over the Olympus E-PM1

 SL620 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung SL620

 E-PM1 SL620 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 enjoys outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Samsung SL620 has sizing of 92mm x 61mm x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 168 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung SL620 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM1 vs the SL620.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and SL620 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching specifications. The visual below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM1 and SL620.

To sum up, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixels albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 comes with the bigger sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF easier. The younger E-PM1 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
Samsung SL620 Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
26
offers face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Street photography factors
Samsung SL620 Street photography factors
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than average in class (168 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography features
Samsung SL620 Sports photography features
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
Samsung SL620 Travel photography advice
45
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
50
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (168g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography information
Samsung SL620 Landscape photography information
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
23
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging advice
Samsung SL620 Vlogging advice
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
24
offers face detection focus
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic port
heavier than average in class (168g)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Samsung SL620 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Samsung SL620
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Samsung SL620
General Information
Make Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Samsung SL620
Also called - PL65
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2011-11-23 2009-02-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-175mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Auto & Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Fill-in Flash, Flash Off, Red-Eye Fix
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 800 x 592 (20 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 168 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 92 x 61 x 23mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $499 $200