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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 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
  • Released May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Replaced the Panasonic GX7
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the GX8 (20MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM2 was introduced 3 years earlier than the GX8 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-PM2 grades vs the GX8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic GX8

 E-PM2 GX8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Olympus E-PM2

 GX8 E-PM2 
LaunchedJuly 2015May 2013Fresher by 26 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic GX8

 E-PM2 GX8 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 has got outside measurements 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 GX8 has measurements of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") and a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the GX8.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and GX8 is 89 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and GX8.

Clearly, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic GX8 to provide greater detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The older E-PM2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic GX8 Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
75
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography advice
Panasonic GX8 Street photography advice
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
80
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography details
Panasonic GX8 Sports photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
low battery power (330 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
Panasonic GX8 Travel photography advice
66
supports touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
73
weather proof
offers touch focus
good resolution (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery power (330 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography highlights
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have Timelapse function
76
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proof
low battery power (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Panasonic GX8
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
81
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic GX8
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2013-05-21 2015-07-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.77x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 487 grams (1.07 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 75
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 12.6
DXO Low light score 932 806
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 330 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $448 $898