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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PM2 was introduced 5 months later than the XS1 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-PM2 scores vs the XS1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic XS1

 E-PM2 XS1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 XS1 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic XS1

 E-PM2 XS1 
IntroducedMay 2013January 2013Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 has 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) whilst the Panasonic XS1 has sizing of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 versus the XS1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and XS1 is 89 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and XS1.

Plainly, both of the cameras come with the identical megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PM2 uses the larger sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh simpler.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
30
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic XS1
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (103g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography details
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography details
66
includes focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than others (103g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
39
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging factors
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
31
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (103g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Class 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 35 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 4.40 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
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 lbs) 103 gr (0.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $448 $130