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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 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
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Replaced the Panasonic LZ30
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LZ40, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the LZ40 (20MP) is fairly close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and LZ40 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM2 was announced 7 months before the LZ40 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PM2 grades vs the LZ40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic LZ40

 E-PM2 LZ40 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Olympus E-PM2

 LZ40 E-PM2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014May 2013Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LZ40

 E-PM2 LZ40 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM2 has physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ40 has dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LZ40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PM2 versus the LZ40.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and LZ40 is 89 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The graphic below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and LZ40.

As you can tell, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 having a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Panasonic LZ40 will result in more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older E-PM2 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
40
MP count good (20MP)
features face detect focus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Street photography camera
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
more heavy than competition (524g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ40 as a Sports photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lacks phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography advice
Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography advice
66
boasts touch focus
good MP (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
55
MP count good (20MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (22mm)
long reach (924mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (524g)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography details
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse mode
44
decently wide (22mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging information
Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging information
36
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
27
decently wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
has microphone port
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition (524g)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic LZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic LZ40
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-05-21 2014-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5152 x 3864
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 35 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 22-924mm (42.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.0-6.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 10.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 524 gr (1.16 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7")
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 photographs 320 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $448 $219