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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 front
Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
80
Overall
62

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 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
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic FZ1000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-400mm (F2.8-4.0) lens
  • 831g - 137 x 99 x 131mm
  • Launched June 2014
  • Renewed by Panasonic FZ2500
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 Overview

Here is a complete review of the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the FZ1000 (20MP) is very similar but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and FZ1000 (1") offer different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was revealed 12 months earlier than the FZ1000 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ1000 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PM2 scores versus the FZ1000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic FZ1000

 E-PM2 FZ1000 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ1000 over the Olympus E-PM2

 FZ1000 E-PM2 
LaunchedJune 2014May 2013Fresher by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FZ1000

 E-PM2 FZ1000 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ1000 has measurements of 137mm x 99mm x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") along with a weight of 831 grams (1.83 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PM2 vs the FZ1000.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and FZ1000 is 89 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and FZ1000.

As you can tell, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 having a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic FZ1000 will deliver more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ1000 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
70
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography factors
Panasonic FZ1000 Street photography factors
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FZ1000 Sports photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
67
long zoom range (25-400mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
includes tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ1000 Travel photography factors
66
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
65
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (400mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography features
Panasonic FZ1000 Landscape photography features
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse function
64
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ1000 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
66
really wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone jack
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic FZ1000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic FZ1000
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-05-21 2014-06-12
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-400mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-4.0
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 13.50 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840x2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p) 1280x720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 pounds) 831 grams (1.83 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 137 x 99 x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 64
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 11.7
DXO Low light rating 932 517
Other
Battery life 360 images 360 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 DMW-BLC12PP
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC -
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $448 $800