Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
![Olympus PEN E-PM2 front Olympus PEN E-PM2 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PM2/Olympus-E-PM2-front.jpg)
![Samsung NX3000 front Samsung NX3000 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Samsung-NX3000/Samsung-NX3000-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
63 Features
62 Overall
62
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
- Announced May 2014
- Superseded the Samsung NX2000
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Overview
In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the NX3000 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and NX3000 (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The E-PM2 was brought out 12 months prior to the NX3000 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-PM2 scores versus the NX3000 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Samsung NX3000. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery and Samsung NX3000 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Samsung NX3000
E-PM2 | NX3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Olympus E-PM2
NX3000 | E-PM2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | May 2014 | ![]() | May 2013 | Fresher by 12 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Samsung NX3000
E-PM2 | NX3000 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 offers outside measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Samsung NX3000 has measurements of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PM2 against the NX3000.
![Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 size comparison Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-vs-Samsung-NX3000-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and NX3000 is 89 and 89 respectively.
![Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-vs-Samsung-NX3000-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and NX3000.
Clearly, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Samsung NX3000 will resolve greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
![Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 sensor size comparison Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-vs-Samsung-NX3000-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-PEN-E-PM2-vs-Samsung-NX3000-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Samsung NX3000 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Samsung |
Model type | Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Samsung NX3000 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2013-05-21 | 2014-05-26 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 369.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 35 | 35 |
Cross type focus points | - | 1 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Number of lenses | 107 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 461 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.0 frames per sec | 5.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240 |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 269g (0.59 lb) | 230g (0.51 lb) |
Dimensions | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") |
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 photographs | 370 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLS-5 | B740 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2-30 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $448 | $897 |