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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 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
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic FH2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS16
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the FH2 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and FH2 (1/2.3") offer different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was introduced 2 years after the FH2 which is quite a significant difference as far as 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 FH2 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PM2 grades vs the FH2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic FH2

 E-PM2 FH2 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2011Newer by 29 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH2 over the Olympus E-PM2

 FH2 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FH2

 E-PM2 FH2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to think about 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") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic FH2 has proportions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-PM2 vs the FH2.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and FH2 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and FH2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will give extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger E-PM2 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH2
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
33
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic FH2
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than average (121g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography details
Panasonic FH2 Sports photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
lacks phase detect auto focus
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
great battery pack (270 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH2 Travel photography highlights
66
comes with focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
72
great battery pack (270 CIPA)
lighter than average (121g)
provides focus by touch
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FH2 Landscape photography info
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no Time Lapse mode
41
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery pack (270 shots)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Panasonic FH2
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic port
32
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
lighter than average (121g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FH2
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH2
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS16
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-05-21 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 121 gr (0.27 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7")
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 270 photos
Battery form 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
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $448 $149