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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS20
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS30
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic ZS25, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the ZS25 (16MP) is very close but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and ZS25 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was launched 5 months after the ZS25 so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PM2 scores vs the ZS25 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic ZS25

 E-PM2 ZS25 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Olympus E-PM2

 ZS25 E-PM2 

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS25

 E-PM2 ZS25 
AnnouncedMay 2013January 2013Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 offers outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS25 has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic ZS25 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 vs the ZS25.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and ZS25 is 89 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing specifications. The pic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and ZS25.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same MP but different sensor dimensions. The E-PM2 contains the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field easier.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS25
71
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
32
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS25 Street photography advice
79
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than others (193g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography factors
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS25 as a Travel photography camera
66
supports focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than others (193g)
includes focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery (260 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZS25 Landscape photography highlights
74
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
43
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery (260 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging details
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic socket
34
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (193g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic ZS25 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic ZS25
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ35
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-05-21 2013-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1200 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs -
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), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 gr (0.59 pounds) 193 gr (0.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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
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
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $448 $300