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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 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
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Introduced January 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G2
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic G1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and G1 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM2 was introduced 4 years later than the G1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera 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 G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-PM2 grades against the G1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic G1

 E-PM2 G1 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2009Fresher by 53 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 G1 E-PM2 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic G1

 E-PM2 G1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic G1 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") along with a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic G1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PM2 vs the G1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and G1 is 89 and 82 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and G1.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus E-PM2 to provide you with greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Panasonic G1
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
57
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic G1
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic G1 Sports photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
33
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
Panasonic G1 Travel photography factors
66
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
62
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Panasonic G1
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
missing Time Lapse mode
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
Panasonic G1 Vlogging features
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing mic support
18
lack of video recording
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic G1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-05-21 2009-01-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 10.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 360 gr (0.79 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 53
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 10.3
DXO Low light rating 932 463
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 330 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $448 $0