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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 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
  • Launched May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic L1
(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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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic L1

 E-PM2 L1 
AnnouncedMay 2013April 2007More recent by 75 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k207kCrisper screen (+253k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 L1 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic L1

 E-PM2 L1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and L1 is 89 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 top view buttons comparison

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.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Panasonic L1
71
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
54
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (7 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic L1
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
58
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (606 grams)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
Panasonic L1 Sports photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (7 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic L1 as a Travel photography camera
66
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
50
lighter than competition in class (606g)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
resolution not great (7MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
Panasonic L1 Landscape photography details
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse recording
47
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (7 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Panasonic L1
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic L1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic L1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic 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