Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
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65 Imaging
41 Features
38 Overall
39
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
- Announced April 2007
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic L1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and L1 (7MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).
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The E-PM2 was launched 6 years later than the L1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PM2 grades vs the L1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Panasonic L1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic L1
E-PM2 | L1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2013 | ![]() | April 2007 | More recent by 75 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 207k | Crisper screen (+253k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Olympus E-PM2
L1 | E-PM2 |
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Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic L1
E-PM2 | L1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic L1 has sizing of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") along with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic L1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM2 and the L1.
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Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and L1 is 89 and 65 respectively.
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and L1.
As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus E-PM2 to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher E-PM2 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2013-05-21 | 2007-04-11 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 16 megapixels | 7 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 3136 x 2352 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 35 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 107 | 45 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.5 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 207k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.46x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 8.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 13.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone 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 | 269 gr (0.59 lbs) | 606 gr (1.34 lbs) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 72 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 932 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photos | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | BLS-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $448 | $1,500 |