Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs
(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
- Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
- 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
- Announced January 2014
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview
Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ8, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is fairly similar but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-PM2 was launched 7 months prior to the SZ8 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-PM2 grades versus the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery and Panasonic SZ8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic SZ8
E-PM2 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | More accurate focusing | |||
Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-PM2
SZ8 | E-PM2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2014 | May 2013 | More recent by 7 months |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ8
E-PM2 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display size | |
Display resolution | 460k | 460k | Equal display resolution | |
Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 has outer dimensions 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 SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PM2 and the SZ8.
Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and SZ8 is 89 and 94 respectively.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and SZ8.
As you can plainly see, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution but different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 contains the larger sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field easier. The older E-PM2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-05-21 | 2014-01-06 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine |
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 | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Highest enhanced ISO | - | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 24-288mm (12.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.1-6.3 |
Amount of lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 8s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 8.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | 5.20 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 |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 269 gr (0.59 pounds) | 159 gr (0.35 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") |
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 photos | 200 photos |
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 feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $448 | $275 |