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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Announced February 2019
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and S1 (24MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and S1 (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was manufactured 6 years prior to the S1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-PM2 scores against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic S1

 E-PM2 S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 S1 E-PM2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2019May 2013Fresher by 69 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kCrisper screen (+1640k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic S1

 E-PM2 S1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with physical 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) and the Panasonic S1 has measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 against the S1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and S1 is 89 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by researching a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and S1.

Clearly, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic S1 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older E-PM2 will be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
85
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography information
Panasonic S1 Street photography information
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
70
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather proof
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,021g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography details
Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
bad battery (380 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
66
features focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
bad battery (380 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (1,021 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography details
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery (380 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic S1 Vlogging highlights
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
32
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (1,021g)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-05-21 2019-02-01
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Total lenses 107 30
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/320 seconds
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 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 1021 gr (2.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 95
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 25.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 14.5
DXO Low light rating 932 3333
Other
Battery life 360 photos 380 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots Single 2
Pricing at launch $448 $2,498