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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Released June 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS15, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and ZS15 (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was announced 11 months after the ZS15 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-PM2 grades versus the ZS15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic ZS15

 E-PM2 ZS15 
ReleasedMay 2013June 2012Newer by 11 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Olympus E-PM2

 ZS15 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS15

 E-PM2 ZS15 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PM2 has got physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS15 has sizing of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 vs the ZS15.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and ZS15 is 89 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The picture below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM2 and ZS15.

Clearly, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 using its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PM2 will deliver more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer E-PM2 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
66
supports touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
61
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (260 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography details
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
37
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery power (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging advice
Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS15
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-05-21 2012-06-29
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 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
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 mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 15 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 grams (0.59 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery format 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 Single Single
Pricing at launch $448 $279