Olympus PEN E-PM2 vs Samsung NX1100: A Detailed Expert Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing your next mirrorless camera is an exciting but sometimes daunting journey. Both the Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Samsung NX1100 embody compelling choices in the entry-level mirrorless segment circa 2013, each representing unique design philosophies and technical approaches. Through years of hands-on testing, we’ve evaluated these cameras across critical photography disciplines, practical usability, and technical performance parameters to help you confidently find the right fit for your creative path.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Build Quality

When selecting a camera, how it feels in your hands and how easily you can carry it around are crucial factors - especially if you shoot travel, street, or events.

• Olympus E-PM2: Compact and lightweight at 269g, the E-PM2 sports a sleek rangefinder-style body measuring 110x64x34 mm. Its classic PEN design is reminiscent of film rangefinders, lending it a stylish but practical feel. The camera’s slightly textured grip ensures stability without bulkiness.

• Samsung NX1100: Weighing a bit lighter at 222g, the NX1100 is also compact, but slightly deeper at 114x63x37 mm. It feels small and pocketable but lacks the premium tactile elements found on the Olympus. The plastic construction contributes to an overall light feel, ideal for casual travel or street use.

Ergonomics and Control Layout

Beyond size, control placement affects shooting comfort and efficiency.

• The E-PM2 offers thoughtfully arranged buttons and a dedicated dials layout, including shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation access. While not a full professional interface, this supports quick manual control and exposure adjustments quintessential for experienced users. The illuminated buttons are missing, but the tactile feedback is firm.

• Conversely, the NX1100 favors a simplified control scheme with fewer dedicated buttons and no physical dials for direct aperture or shutter speed changes. Its top controls focus primarily on mode selection and shutter release. This invites new users to lean on the menu system for precise changes, slowing interaction for advanced tasks.

Takeaway: If you value manual controls and shooting agility, the Olympus PEN E-PM2 pulls ahead ergonomically. The Samsung is well-suited for casual and beginner users who prefer simplicity over direct control.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: How Sensor Sizes and Resolution Affect Your Shots

At the heart of every camera is the sensor, determining resolution, dynamic range, low-light capabilities, and overall image fidelity.

What This Means in Real World Photography

• The NX1100’s APS-C sensor is physically larger than Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor, giving it an edge in noise control, dynamic range, and color fidelity. This translates to cleaner images at high ISOs, richer tonality in shadows/highlights, and enhanced resolution for large prints or extensive cropping.

• The E-PM2’s sensor performs admirably but, due to the smaller sensor size, noise becomes more noticeable beyond ISO 1600. However, its dynamic range is still excellent for landscapes and outdoor shooting, holding detail nicely across extremes of exposure.

• The resolution difference (20MP vs 16MP) is significant when pixel peeping or extracting detail. If your workflow involves detailed cropping or large prints, the NX1100 will serve you well.

LCD Display and Interface: Evaluating Usability and Composition Tools

A camera’s rear screen is your primary window for framing, reviewing, and navigating settings in the field.

Hands-On Insights

• The E-PM2’s touchscreen provides intuitive navigation. Touch autofocus and quick menu access simplify operation, making it easier to adjust settings or focus points on the fly. However, the 460K resolution limits sharpness and detail when reviewing images.

• The NX1100’s higher-resolution 921K dot screen offers a crisper, more detailed review experience, though it lacks touchscreen functionality. You navigate menus via buttons, which may slow operation but ensures fewer accidental input errors.

• Neither camera offers a built-in viewfinder, but the Olympus supports an optional electronic viewfinder (sold separately), adding a traditional composing method, which many photographers appreciate in bright environments.

Autofocus Performance: Tracking, Speed, and Accuracy in Real Shooting

Autofocus systems are critical for capturing sharp images, especially in dynamic scenarios like sports, wildlife, or street photography.

Testing Methodology and Practical Results

For this comparison, we tested each camera under various lighting and movement conditions, including indoor portraits and outdoor wildlife.

• The E-PM2’s higher number of AF points and face detection allowed more consistent focus lock and tracking. Its continuous AF mode was responsive enough for moderately moving subjects such as children or pets indoors.

• The NX1100’s AF system felt more basic, with fewer focus points and no AF tracking. It could achieve sharp focus on stationary subjects but struggled when subjects moved across the frame. This limitation is notable if you shoot fast-paced scenarios.

Performance in Different Photography Genres

Every camera has strengths and weaknesses depending on your preferred shooting style. Let’s break down how these models perform across major categories.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh Quality, and Eye Detection

• Olympus E-PM2 excels due to its accurate face detection autofocus and the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem's extensive f/1.2 to f/1.8 prime offerings. These lenses deliver beautiful background separation and creamy bokeh at a reasonable price.

• Samsung NX1100 benefits from its APS-C sensor, capturing finely detailed portraits with natural color rendition. However, limited native lens choices and absence of eye-detection autofocus can require more manual intervention to achieve razor-sharp eyes.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Sealing

• Both models offer respectable dynamic range, with the NX1100 slightly edging out Olympus. The NX1100’s 20MP resolution means larger print capabilities.

• Neither camera features weather sealing, a drawback for shooting landscapes in harsh conditions. If durability outdoors is critical, you might want to look past these models or invest in protective gear.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Burst Rates and AF Tracking

• The E-PM2 supports 8 fps continuous shooting and has AF tracking, enabling better capture of action shots and wildlife in motion.

• The NX1100 also clocks in at 8 fps but lacks AF tracking, which hampers usability for unpredictable subjects.

Street Photography: Discretion and Low Light Performance

• Olympus’s compact design and quiet shutter operation favor discreet street photography, plus built-in image stabilization helps achieve slower shutter speeds without blur.

• Samsung is slightly smaller but noisier and less feature-rich in stabilization, limiting low light handheld use.

Macro Photography: Magnification and Focus Precision

• Olympus’s stabilized sensor supports precise close-up work, especially when paired with dedicated Macro M.Zuiko lenses.

• Samsung’s lens lineup includes fewer dedicated macro options, and no in-body stabilization means more reliance on tripods or flashes.

Night and Astro Photography: ISO Handling and Exposure Modes

• The NX1100’s larger sensor yields better high ISO noise control up to ISO 3200, essential for low light and astro shots.

• Olympus’s max native ISO of 25600 is nominally higher but with more noise at extreme ISOs.

Video Capabilities: Recording Specs and Stabilization

Both cameras offer Full HD 1080p recording at 30 fps but no 4K.

• Olympus includes sensor-based image stabilization during video, smoothing handheld footage noticeably.

• Samsung lacks built-in stabilization, making steady shots a challenge without gimbals.

Neither camera supports external microphones, limiting audio control.

Travel Photography: Battery Life and Versatility

• The E-PM2 offers 360 shots per charge, marginally better than the NX1100’s 320 shots, giving more shooting time on the go.

• Both cameras use compact lenses and single SD card slots.

Professional Work: File Formats and Workflow Integration

• Both cameras capture RAW, aiding professional post-processing.

• Olympus supports Micro Four Thirds lenses, which have broad third-party availability and compatibility.

• Samsung’s lens ecosystem is smaller, which could hinder long-term system expansion.

Wireless Connectivity and Storage Options

• The NX1100 has built-in Wi-Fi, making image sharing and remote control more seamless right out of the box.

• Olympus relies on Eye-Fi card support for wireless transfer, necessitating extra hardware or steps.

• Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with a single card slot.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Genre Rankings

To help visualize how these cameras stack up, we’ve gathered performance ratings from trusted sources and our field tests.

From these consolidated scores, it’s clear that:

• The Olympus E-PM2 shines in versatile shooting modes like portrait, wildlife (due to AF tracking), and video stabilization.

• The Samsung NX1100 leads comfortably in image quality and landscape resolution, benefitting from its APS-C sensor.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Exploring Accessories and Lenses to Expand Your Creative Horizons

Both camera systems offer excellent entry points, and your lens choices dramatically affect what you can capture:

• Olympus Micro Four Thirds Lens Line: Rich ecosystem with over 100 lenses, including fast primes, macro, fisheye, and professional zooms from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party brands.

• Samsung NX Lens Line: Smaller, around 32 lenses focused mainly on general purpose zooms and primes. Less diversity but still decent options for APS-C shooters.

To get the most out of your chosen camera:

• Check out prime lenses with wide apertures (f/1.8 or wider) for portraits or low light.

• Explore dedicated macro lenses if close-up photography interests you.

• Consider investing in ND filters for landscapes and video shooting to control exposure creatively.

Conclusion: Your Journey Begins with the Right Camera Choice

Both the Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Samsung NX1100 are admirable entry-level mirrorless cameras with distinct strengths.

• Choose the Olympus E-PM2 if you prioritize manual control, AF performance, in-body stabilization, and a robust lens ecosystem. It’s perfect for creative photographers growing their skills in diverse photography genres.

• Opt for the Samsung NX1100 if you want the advantages of a larger APS-C sensor, higher resolution for detailed work, and built-in wireless features in a simple package geared toward beginners or casual shooters.

Remember, no matter your choice, the camera is just a tool - your vision and practice turn pixels into art. Be sure to handle these models yourself, explore sample photos, and check out compatible lenses before committing.

Enjoy your journey into photography with a camera built to inspire and support your unique creative expression!

Olympus E PM2 front Olympus E PM2 screen back Samsung NX1100 front Samsung NX1100 screen back