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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic SZ7, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-PM2 was announced 17 months after the SZ7 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PM2 scores versus the SZ7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic SZ7

 E-PM2 SZ7 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2012More modern by 17 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Olympus E-PM2

 SZ7 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ7

 E-PM2 SZ7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic SZ7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the E-PM2 against the SZ7.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and SZ7 is 89 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and SZ7.

To sum up, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PM2 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will provide more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
34
good megapixels (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ7 Street photography info
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (133g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
features tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Travel photography camera
66
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than others in class (133g)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ7 as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging information
36
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
35
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (133g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ7
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-05-21 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest 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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 133 gr (0.29 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 images 220 images
Battery form 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
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $448 $199