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Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Samsung NX mini front
Portability
93
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini 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
  • Released May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
Samsung NX mini
(Full Review)
  • 20.5MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX-M Mount
  • 196g - 110 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched March 2014
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini Overview

Here, we are looking at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Samsung. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and NX mini (20.5MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and NX mini (1") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was unveiled 10 months prior to the NX mini so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-PM2 grades vs the NX mini with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Samsung NX mini

 E-PM2 NX mini 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX mini over the Olympus E-PM2

 NX mini E-PM2 
LaunchedMarch 2014May 2013More recent by 10 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution461k460kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Samsung NX mini

 E-PM2 NX mini 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PM2 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Samsung NX mini has dimensions of 110mm x 62mm x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 196 grams (0.43 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the NX mini.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini size comparison

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

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and NX mini.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Samsung NX mini will give extra detail having an extra 4.5MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung NX mini as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
70
focusing manually
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Samsung NX mini
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
81
tilting screen
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
lighter than average in class (196g)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung NX mini as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect autofocus
54
max shutter speed is good (1/16,000s)
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
great battery power (650 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography information
Samsung NX mini Travel photography information
66
boasts touch to focus
MP count decent (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
75
great battery power (650 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (196 grams)
boasts focus by touch
decent MP (20.5 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM2
Landscape photography with Samsung NX mini
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have Timelapse mode
68
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX-M mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (20.5MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
great battery power (650 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging factors
Samsung NX mini Vlogging factors
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
37
touchscreen functionality
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
lighter than average in class (196 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX mini Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Samsung NX mini
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Samsung NX mini
General Information
Make Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Samsung NX mini
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-05-21 2014-03-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20.5 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 21
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX-M
Number of lenses 107 2
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT-LCD (180 degree tilt)
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Smart Flash, auto, auto + redeye reduction, fill-in, fill-in + redeye reduction, 1st curtain, 2nd curtain
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 (all 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 196 grams (0.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 110 x 62 x 23mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 0.9")
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 images 650 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 B740
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2-30 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $448 $530