Clicky

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 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
  • Launched May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic ZR1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and ZR1 (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and ZR1 (1/2.3") use different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-PM2 was announced 3 years later than the ZR1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-PM2 matches up against the ZR1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic ZR1

 E-PM2 ZR1 
LaunchedMay 2013July 2009Fresher by 47 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 ZR1 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZR1

 E-PM2 ZR1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 comes with external 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 ZR1 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic ZR1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 versus the ZR1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and ZR1 is 89 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The visual here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and ZR1.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PM2 will render extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher E-PM2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic ZR1
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography features
66
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
57
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no Timelapse recording
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZR1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZR1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-ZX1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-05-21 2009-07-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine V
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 5.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269g (0.59 pounds) 158g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
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 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $448 $280