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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88 Imaging
55 Features
86 Overall
67

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(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
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Introduced May 2020
  • Later Model is Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony ZV-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and ZV-1 (20MP) and the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZV-1 (1") come with totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PM1 was launched 9 years earlier than the ZV-1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-PM1 scores versus the ZV-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 E-PM1 ZV-1 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus E-PM1

		

		

			
 ZV-1 E-PM1 
IntroducedMay 2020November 2011Newer by 103 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution922k460kCrisper display (+462k dot)
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony ZV-1

		

		

			
 E-PM1 ZV-1 
Focus manually  More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 has exterior measurements 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 Sony ZV-1 has measurements of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") and a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony ZV-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM1 against the ZV-1.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and ZV-1 is 89 and 88 respectively.
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Quite often, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and ZV-1.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM1 due to its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony ZV-1 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E-PM1 will be behind in sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography details
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography details
60
 has manual focus
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 has face detect focus
 supports RAW formats
 low resolution (12MP)
73
 focusing manually
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 nice sensor size (1")
 has face detect focus
 exports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography info
Sony ZV-1 Street photography info
75
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW formats
 no moving screen
85
 screen articulates fully
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 nice sensor size (1")
 exports RAW files
 provides touch focus
 lighter than others (294g)
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Sports Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography factors
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography factors
49
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 has tracking focus
 slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 doesn't have phase detect auto focus
71
 silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
 high fps (24.0 frames/s)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (1")
 has tracking focus
 comes with phase detect auto focus
 not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison
 Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
 Sony ZV-1 as a Travel photography camera
45
 does not have Time Lapse mode
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 does not have selfie friendly display
81
 lighter than others (294g)
 connects via bluetooth
 provides touch focus
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 screen is selfie friendly
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 good maximum aperture (f1.8)
 not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography info
65
 has manual focus
 switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 nice screen size (3")
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW formats
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 does not have Time Lapse mode
70
 focusing manually
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 good maximum aperture (f1.8)
 screen size is good (3 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 megapixel count decent (20MP)
 nice sensor size (1")
 exports RAW files
 cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
 not so great battery power (260 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging advice
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging advice
34
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 has face detect focus
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 does not have selfie friendly display
 does not have mic port
86
 reasonably wide (24mm)
 good maximum aperture (f1.8)
 screen is selfie friendly
 touchscreen capability
 built in image stabilization (Optical)
 has face detect focus
 video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
 does have mic jack
 lighter than others (294 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Sony ZV-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony ZV-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-11-23 2020-05-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data    
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Number of focus points 35 315
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 24.0 frames per second
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Expose Manually    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 265 gr (0.58 pounds) 294 gr (0.65 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 260 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $499 $750