Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus TG-850 iHS, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are offered by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the TG-850 iHS (16MP) is pretty close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizes.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The E-PM2 was introduced 8 months before the TG-850 iHS so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-PM2 grades against the TG-850 iHS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 E-PM2 TG-850 iHS 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Olympus E-PM2

 TG-850 iHS E-PM2 
IntroducedJanuary 2014May 2013More recent by 8 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-850 iHS

 E-PM2 TG-850 iHS 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 has outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Olympus TG-850 iHS has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 versus Olympus TG-850 iHS in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PM2 against the TG-850 iHS.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and TG-850 iHS is 89 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The graphic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and TG-850 iHS.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 provides the bigger sensor which is going to make getting bokeh simpler. The older E-PM2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Street photography camera
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
Sports photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (330 CIPA)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
66
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
72
better than average battery life (330 shots)
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (21mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
missing Time Lapse recording
50
reasonably wide (21mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
better than average battery life (330 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Olympus TG-850 iHS
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
33
reasonably wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Olympus TG-850 iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Launched 2013-05-21 2014-01-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4616 x 3464
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 1/2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Yes
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 pounds) 218 grams (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 330 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $448 $250