Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56


94 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed May 2013
- Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-224mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
- 152g - 99 x 57 x 28mm
- Launched January 2011

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Overview
Its time to look closer at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic FH27, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the FH27 (16MP) is very well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and FH27 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor measurements.

The E-PM2 was manufactured 2 years later than the FH27 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH27 being a Compact camera.
Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-PM2 scores against the FH27 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery and Panasonic FH27 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic FH27
E-PM2 | FH27 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | May 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | More recent by 29 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH27 over the Olympus E-PM2
FH27 | E-PM2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FH27
E-PM2 | FH27 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Physical Comparison
For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic FH27 has sizing of 99mm x 57mm x 28mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.1") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic FH27 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PM2 versus the FH27.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and FH27 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements just by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and FH27.
Clearly, each of the cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-PM2 has got the larger sensor which should make getting shallower DOF simpler. The fresher E-PM2 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FH27 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-05-21 | 2011-01-05 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine VI |
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 | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | - |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-224mm (8.0x) |
Largest aperture | - | f/3.3-5.9 |
Macro focusing range | - | 5cm |
Number of lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Touch Screen LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1600 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 4.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 5.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 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 (24 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 269 grams (0.59 lbs) | 152 grams (0.34 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 99 x 57 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 images | 250 images |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $448 | $229 |