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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Announced May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and S1 (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was launched 2 years later than the S1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PM2 grades vs the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic S1

 E-PM2 S1 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2011Fresher by 29 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 S1 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic S1

 E-PM2 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 provides exterior 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) whilst the Panasonic S1 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PM2 versus the S1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and S1 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The graphic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and S1.

Plainly, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PM2 will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher E-PM2 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography details
Panasonic S1 Street photography details
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography features
Panasonic S1 Sports photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Panasonic S1 Travel photography details
66
includes touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
62
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography details
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
32
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging advice
Panasonic S1 Vlogging advice
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic S1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-05-21 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 117 gr (0.26 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 pictures 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack 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/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $448 $269