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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 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 LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Revealed July 2012
  • Later Model is Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic LZ20, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the LZ20 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was launched 11 months after the LZ20 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PM2 scores against the LZ20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic LZ20

 E-PM2 LZ20 
RevealedMay 2013July 2012More modern by 11 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Olympus E-PM2

 LZ20 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LZ20

 E-PM2 LZ20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 offers outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ20 has proportions of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") along with a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic LZ20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 vs the LZ20.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and LZ20 is 89 and 71 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The pic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and LZ20.

Plainly, both of the cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PM2 contains the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower DOF easier. The younger E-PM2 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography factors
71
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
36
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography features
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography features
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
45
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than average (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography factors
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
47
incredible zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
Travel photography with Panasonic LZ20
66
boasts touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
58
good battery life (380 per charge)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average (499 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography information
Panasonic LZ20 Landscape photography information
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
does not have Time Lapse mode
45
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 shots)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging information
Panasonic LZ20 Vlogging information
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
25
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
heavier than average (499 grams)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LZ20
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-05-21 2012-07-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing range - 2cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 6.80 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 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 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 499 grams (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 932 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photos 380 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $448 $250