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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic SZ3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is very comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PM2 was introduced 5 months after the SZ3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-PM2 grades against the SZ3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic SZ3

 E-PM2 SZ3 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Olympus E-PM2

 SZ3 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ3

 E-PM2 SZ3 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2013Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM2 has got external dimensions 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 SZ3 has dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 and the SZ3.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and SZ3 is 89 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and SZ3.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PM2 offers the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PM2
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
66
features focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
no Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
71
lighter than average in class (126g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
39
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging information
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ3
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-05-21 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
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 area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.59 pounds) 126 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 250 photos
Style 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
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $448 $150