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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 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
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic SZ1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ1 (16MP) is very comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ1 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The E-PM2 was revealed 17 months after the SZ1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the SZ1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic SZ1

 E-PM2 SZ1 
LaunchedMay 2013January 2012Newer by 17 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 SZ1 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ1

 E-PM2 SZ1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 enjoys external measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ1 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic SZ1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PM2 versus the SZ1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and SZ1 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and SZ1.

To sum up, the two cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 contains the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field easier. The more recent E-PM2 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
34
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (131 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
66
provides focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
70
lighter than competitors (131g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
does not have Timelapse mode
43
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging highlights
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
32
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone port
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-05-21 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lb) 131 gr (0.29 lb)
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 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 250 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $448 $179