Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Choosing the right camera often comes down to understanding your needs as a photographer and matching those to a system’s capabilities. Today, we compare two distinct models - the Olympus PEN E-PM2, an entry-level mirrorless camera, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX78, a compact point-and-shoot. Both serve beginner to enthusiast photographers but cater to different priorities. With over 15 years of experience testing everything from drones to pro DSLRs, we dive deep into their technology, handling, and imaging prowess to help you find the best fit for your creative journey.

A Tale of Two Concepts: Mirrorless Flexibility vs Compact Convenience

At first glance, these cameras aim at different users. The Olympus E-PM2 with its Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor offers system versatility, interchangeable lenses, and advanced settings typical of mirrorless cameras. On the other hand, the Panasonic FX78 packs a fixed 24–120mm equivalent zoom into a slim body for instant grab-and-go shooting.

Let's start by understanding their physical presence and ergonomics, which profoundly shape your shooting experience.

Physical Size and Handling: Ergonomics that Matter in the Field

• Olympus E-PM2: Measuring 110x64x34 mm and weighing 269g (body only), the E-PM2 is compact yet significantly larger than the FX78. Its rangefinder-style mirrorless design offers a more substantial grip and tactile dials suitable for manual control and extended shoots.

• Panasonic FX78: Sporting a pocket-friendly 100x55x21 mm dimension with only 142g, the FX78 is ultra-light and fits in any small purse or pocket. Ideal for casual strolls or travel when weight and size are critical factors.

The difference in bulk aligns with their categories: the E-PM2 feels like a serious camera encouraging exploration, while the FX78 invites quick snaps with minimal fuss.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality Fundamentals

Sensor size is a key determinant of image quality - particularly in noise handling, detail resolution, and dynamic range.

Sensor Sizes and Performance Comparison

What does this mean?

• The Four Thirds sensor of the E-PM2 is roughly 8 times larger in area than the FX78’s 1/2.3” CCD sensor. This size advantage translates to superior detail capture, richer color depth, and better noise management at higher ISO sensitivities.

• The E-PM2’s max native ISO of 25600 offers flexibility for challenging low light, while the FX78 tops out at 6400 ISO - sufficient for daylight but more limited indoors or at night.

• While the FX78 CCD sensor can deliver vivid images with its Venus Engine FHD processor, it cannot compete with the modern CMOS sensor’s dynamic range and low-light capabilities.

Our experienced tests confirm that images from the E-PM2 show finer gradations, cleaner shadows, and more vibrant midtones - especially in tricky lighting scenarios.

User Interface and Control: The Photographer’s Command Center

Getting comfortable with your camera’s controls and display can accelerate learning and foster creativity.

Top View Layout and Control Ergonomics

• Olympus E-PM2: Features dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture control. The customizable buttons and touchscreen further enhance quick setting adjustments during active shooting. The menu system is deep but logical, rewarding those who want manual exposure modes including aperture and shutter priority.

• Panasonic FX78: Emphasizes simplicity with a limited number of physical buttons and no manual exposure modes. It offers point-and-shoot conveniences like program auto, face detection, and basic zoom control, ideal for beginners or those desiring zero setup fuss.

Rear LCD Screen and Live View

• E-PM2: Boasts a sharp 3.0” touchscreen with 460k resolution. The screen responds well to touch input for focusing and menu navigation but is fixed (non-articulated), so awkward angles may require some adjustment.

• FX78: Larger 3.5” TFT LCD but with a modest 230k resolution. The touchscreen here is functional but less precise. The lack of a viewfinder means composing in bright sun can be challenging.

If you want deeper control to shape your images and appreciate tactile feedback, the E-PM2’s interface outshines the FX78’s. But for straightforward shooting with minimal learning curve, the FX78’s layout remains inviting.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Performance When It Counts

Accurate autofocus (AF) plays a vital role in sharp images across all photography genres. Let’s see how these differ.

The E-PM2 provides a more advanced autofocus system with 35 points, multiple AF modes including face detection, and touch AF, allowing precise focus selection and good tracking. We found the AF to be responsive and accurate even in moderately low light due to the contrast-detection tuning.

The FX78 autofocus is functional with 11 points and continuous mode, but the absence of face detection and touch AF means less flexibility for selective focusing. It is adequate for casual snapshots but can struggle in fast-moving or low contrast scenes.

Shooting Speed and Burst Rates: Catching the Action

For sports, wildlife, or street photography, shooting speed and burst capability is key.

The E-PM2 holds a marked advantage with a 1/4000 max shutter speed and twice the frame rate at 8 fps, suitable for capturing fleeting moments and rapid action sequences with reduced motion blur.

The FX78’s slower max shutter and 4 fps burst limit its utility for fast-paced subjects, making it ideal for portraits or still life.

Image Stabilization: Steady Shots Across the Board

Both cameras feature image stabilization but in different forms:

• E-PM2: Sensor-based stabilization (in-body), effective even when using manual lenses or adapting third-party optics.

• FX78: Optical image stabilization embedded in the lens mechanism.

In practice, the E-PM2’s in-body stabilization provides greater versatility and noticeable steadiness with longer focal lengths and macro photography. The FX78’s optical IS is good enough for casual hand-holding in daylight but less capable for more extreme conditions.

Lens and System Ecosystem: Growing Your Creative Arsenal

A significant advantage of the Olympus E-PM2 as part of the Micro Four Thirds system is access to over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties. These provide options across:

• Fast primes for portraits with creamy bokeh
• Ultra-wide zooms for expansive landscapes
• Telephoto superzoom lenses for wildlife
• Macro lenses for close-up detail
• Specialty lenses such as fisheye or tilt-shift

The FX78, being a fixed-lens compact, limits your composition strictly to its 24–120 mm (equivalent) range and maximum apertures of f/2.5–5.9, constraining low light and depth of field control.

For enthusiasts eager to experiment with glass, the E-PM2 opens doors to creative freedom.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready for the Great Outdoors?

Neither camera offers weather sealing or ruggedness for harsh environments. The E-PM2’s metal body provides greater resilience than the plastic-bodied FX78, which is more vulnerable to bumps and scratches.

If shooting in adverse conditions is essential, consider additional protective gear or a more rugged camera.

Battery Life and Memory: Shooting Without Interruptions

The E-PM2 offers almost double the typical battery life compared to the FX78, important for longer outings or when charging opportunities are limited.

The FX78’s internal storage is a helpful bonus if you forget to insert a card, though its capacity is limited.

Video Capabilities: For Vloggers and Filmmakers

The FX78 offers 1080p at 60 fps, good for smooth video, whereas the E-PM2’s video is capped at 30 fps, though with the advantage of in-body stabilization.

Neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting professional sound control. For simple casual video, both suffice.

Practical Application Across Photography Genres

Let’s translate the tech into how these cameras perform for specific photography types.

Portrait Photography

The E-PM2’s larger sensor and access to fast prime lenses produce skin tones with natural smoothness and pleasant bokeh, essential to isolate subjects. Its 35-point AF with face detection ensures sharp eyes and ease of focus control.

The FX78 can capture decent portraits but with more limited background blur and noisier images in indoor settings. Its lack of face AF requires more effort.

Landscape Photography

The E-PM2 shines with its superior dynamic range that captures shadow and highlight detail, plus access to ultra-wide lenses perfect for sweeping vistas. The better resolution and color depth enable stunning prints and greater cropping flexibility.

The FX78 fits landscapes on trips with light packing but its small sensor and limited zoom diminish image quality and creative framing options.

Wildlife Photography

Here, fast and reliable AF, high burst rates, and telephoto reach count. The E-PM2’s 8 fps shooting, 35 AF points with tracking, and compatibility with long telephoto lenses make it a compact yet capable wildlife tool.

The FX78’s 5x zoom and slower AF and burst rates are better suited for casual animal photos rather than serious wildlife shoots.

Sports Photography

The Olympus again leads with faster shutter speeds and continuous autofocus tracking. The FX78 lacks manual exposure control and bursts at half the speed, limiting sports impact shots.

Street Photography

The FX78’s compact profile and portability excel for low-profile street shooting, easy to pocket and quick to deploy. The E-PM2 is still portable but more noticeable.

In low light, the E-PM2’s larger sensor and higher ISO handling provides clearer night street scenes.

Macro Photography

The E-PM2, with interchangeable macro lenses and sensor-based stabilization, delivers superior close-up detail and focus precision.

The FX78’s minimum macro focus of 5 cm in fixed lens mode limits magnification and creative control.

Night and Astrophotography

Thanks to its sensor size, high ISO capabilities, and long exposure shutter speed (up to 60 sec), the E-PM2 is better suited for nightscapes and astrophotography.

The FX78’s max shutter speed of 1/1400 sec and smaller sensor restrict deep night exposures.

Travel Photography

The FX78 offers ultimate portability making it a great travel companion for casual shooters.

The E-PM2’s versatility and lens choices give you creative freedom if you prefer a more deliberate approach and don’t mind carrying extra gear.

Professional Workflows

Raw file support on the E-PM2 allows full control over files in post-processing suites. Robust build and better connectivity also align with professional needs.

The FX78 lacks raw shooting and wireless features, limiting professional workflow integration.

Sample Gallery Share: Real-World Image Quality

Olympus E PM2 front Olympus E PM2 screen back Panasonic FX78 front Panasonic FX78 screen back

• Images from the Olympus E-PM2 display greater fine detail, richer gradations, and smoother bokeh in portrait shots.
• Panasonic FX78 images are bright and colorful in good light but show more noise and less dynamic range in shadows.
• Video footage from the FX78 is smooth at 60 fps but lacks in-body stabilization compared to the E-PM2.

Overall Performance Breakdown

This chart summarizes objective and subjective assessments across core attributes like image quality, autofocus, handling, and build.

Photography Genres vs Camera Suitability Scores

• Olympus E-PM2 scores highly for portrait, landscape, wildlife, and night photography.
• Panasonic FX78 excels in travel convenience and street photography for casual users.

The Bottom Line: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Lifestyle?

Final Recommendations to Get You Started

• If you value image quality, creative control, and the option to grow with a serious mirrorless system, the Olympus E-PM2 remains a compelling choice. Its solid handling, lens choices, and sensor performance provide a rewarding learning and shooting experience.

• If you want a simple, portable camera for everyday snapshots and travel ease, the Panasonic FX78 is a friendly, budget option offering decent image output with minimal fuss.

For those new to photography unsure about investing in a system, trying both at a retailer can clarify your preferred style. Also, consider pairing the E-PM2 with a versatile kit lens like the Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 for a balanced start.

Look for deals on used or refurbished E-PM2 bodies to maximize value.

Photography is a journey best experienced hands-on. Whether capturing the vibrancy of streets or quiet majesty of landscapes, having the right tool transforms moments into art. Explore these cameras in your creative environment and see which inspires you most.

Happy shooting!

Written by a camera enthusiast and professional reviewer with years of hands-on testing - guiding you to passionate, informed photography.