Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 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
  • Announced May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Revealed November 2011
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic 3D1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and 3D1 (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and 3D1 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The E-PM2 was released 19 months later than the 3D1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the E-PM2 grades against the 3D1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic 3D1

 E-PM2 3D1 
RevealedMay 2013November 2011Fresher by 19 months
Manually focus More precise focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 3D1 E-PM2 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic 3D1

 E-PM2 3D1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 offers exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Panasonic 3D1 has proportions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic 3D1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the E-PM2 vs the 3D1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and 3D1 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The graphic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and 3D1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern E-PM2 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography info
Panasonic 3D1 Portrait photography info
71
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
27
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography details
Panasonic 3D1 Street photography details
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
screen is fixed
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
Sports photography with Panasonic 3D1
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
30
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
no shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Travel photography camera
66
boasts touch focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
59
supports touch focus
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery life (200 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography factors
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no Timelapse recording
36
really wide (25mm)
screen larger than average (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
low battery life (200 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging info
Panasonic 3D1 Vlogging info
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no microphone support
34
really wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic 3D1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-05-21 2011-11-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3.5 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 193 grams (0.43 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 photos 200 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $448 $670