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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220

Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 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
  • Released November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Sony W220
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-7.1) lens
  • 147g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2009
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PM1 versus Sony W220, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the W220 (12MP) is very similar but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and W220 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was revealed 2 years later than the W220 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W220 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the W220 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony W220

 E-PM1 W220 
LaunchedNovember 2011January 2009Fresher by 35 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W220 over the Olympus E-PM1

 W220 E-PM1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony W220

 E-PM1 W220 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM1 has outer dimensions 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 Sony W220 has sizing of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 147 grams (0.32 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM1 versus Sony W220 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PM1 versus the W220.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and W220 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM1 and W220.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The E-PM1 offers the larger sensor which will make getting shallower DOF easier. The more recent E-PM1 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
Sony W220 Portrait photography information
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
27
you can focus manually
no manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Sony W220 as a Street photography camera
75
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Sony W220 Sports photography highlights
48
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
Travel photography with Sony W220
45
missing Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography details
Sony W220 Landscape photography details
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
missing Timelapse mode
32
you can focus manually
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
Sony W220 Vlogging details
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony W220 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Sony W220
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W220
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-11-23 2009-01-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 30-120mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-7.1
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 1 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.10 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Flash On, Slow Syncro, Red-eye, Flash Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (8 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 265g (0.58 lb) 147g (0.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" 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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $499 $160