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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
89
Imaging
47
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Launched November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Introduced March 2023
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the ZV-E1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM1 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM1 was brought out 12 years earlier than the ZV-E1 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-PM1 grades vs the ZV-E1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-PM1 ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 ZV-E1 E-PM1 
IntroducedMarch 2023November 2011More modern by 138 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony ZV-E1

 E-PM1 ZV-E1 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3.00"Identical screen measurement

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 offers exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Sony ZV-E1 has specifications of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") and a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and ZV-E1 is 89 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The picture here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and ZV-E1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-PM1 features the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh tougher. The more aged E-PM1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography info
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography info
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
71
manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
Street photography with Sony ZV-E1
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
84
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (483g)
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography highlights
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography highlights
48
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
71
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (570 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Travel photography camera
45
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
79
better than average battery life (570 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
selfie friendly display
MP count low (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery life (570 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging features
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging features
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone port
85
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 1920 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Sony ZV-E1
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Sony ZV-E1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2011-11-23 2023-03-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 12800 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 759
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Amount of lenses 107 195
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.00"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,037k dots
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 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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) no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x1920
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265g (0.58 lbs) 483g (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
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 photographs 570 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $499 $2,198