Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 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
  • Announced May 2013
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic FH20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 100 x 56 x 28mm
  • Introduced January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FS30
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic FH20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the FH20 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and FH20 (1/2.3") posses different sensor size.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The E-PM2 was revealed 3 years after the FH20 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the FH20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic FH20

 E-PM2 FH20 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2010More modern by 42 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH20 over the Olympus E-PM2

 FH20 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FH20

 E-PM2 FH20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys physical 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 FH20 has measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") and a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic FH20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PM2 versus the FH20.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and FH20 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The pic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and FH20.

To sum up, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-PM2 will give you more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-PM2 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic FH20
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FH20 as a Sports photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
max fps low (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FH20 Travel photography highlights
66
supports touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FH20 Landscape photography highlights
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse mode
37
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Panasonic FH20
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FH20
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH20
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-FS30
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-05-21 2010-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-224mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.80 m (Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lb) 178 grams (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 100 x 56 x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $448 $179