Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56


85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 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
- Launched May 2013
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
- Announced October 2009
- Renewed by Panasonic GF2

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and GF1 (12MP) but they come with the exact same sensor size (Four Thirds).

The E-PM2 was launched 3 years after the GF1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short view of how the E-PM2 scores against the GF1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Panasonic GF1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic GF1
E-PM2 | GF1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2013 | ![]() | October 2009 | Newer by 44 months |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-PM2
GF1 | E-PM2 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic GF1
E-PM2 | GF1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen size |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic GF1 has proportions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PM2 versus the GF1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and GF1 is 89 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions merely by looking at a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and GF1.
As you can see, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus E-PM2 to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern E-PM2 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2013-05-21 | 2009-10-14 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine HD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 8.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 6.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 269g (0.59 pounds) | 385g (0.85 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 72 | 54 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | 932 | 513 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 shots | 380 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/MMC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at launch | $448 | $400 |