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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II front
Portability
81
Imaging
57
Features
75
Overall
64

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II 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
  • Released May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic LX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 17MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-75mm (F1.7-2.8) lens
  • 392g - 115 x 66 x 64mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Superseded the Panasonic LX100
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic LX100 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the LX100 II (17MP) is pretty well matched and they come with the same exact sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM2 was announced 6 years before the LX100 II and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX100 II being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-PM2 scores vs the LX100 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic LX100 II

 E-PM2 LX100 II 

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX100 II over the Olympus E-PM2

 LX100 II E-PM2 
ReleasedAugust 2018May 2013Fresher by 63 months
Screen resolution1240k460kClearer screen (+780k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LX100 II

 E-PM2 LX100 II 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LX100 II has measurements of 115mm x 66mm x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5") and a weight of 392 grams (0.86 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic LX100 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PM2 and the LX100 II.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and LX100 II is 89 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and LX100 II.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Panasonic LX100 II to give you more detail with its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LX100 II as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (17 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography factors
Panasonic LX100 II Street photography factors
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
77
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LX100 II Sports photography factors
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
has no phase detect auto focus
71
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (17 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
great battery (340 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Panasonic LX100 II Travel photography details
66
provides focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
78
great battery (340 shots)
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (17 megapixels)
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LX100 II Landscape photography features
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
76
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (17MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
great battery (340 shots)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic LX100 II Vlogging factors
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LX100 II
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2013-05-21 2018-08-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 17 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4736 x 3552
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-75mm (3.1x)
Largest aperture - f/1.7-2.8
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,240k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,760k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 1800 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 7.00 m (with included external flash at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) DMW-BLE9 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 392 gr (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 115 x 66 x 64mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 340 photos
Type of battery 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 (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $448 $998