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Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Samsung NX3000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
64
Features
62
Overall
63

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
Samsung NX3000
(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  • Superseded the Samsung NX2000
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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.

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedMay 2014May 2013Fresher by 12 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Samsung NX3000

 E-PM2 NX3000 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
Portrait photography with Samsung NX3000
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
78
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Street photography highlights
Samsung NX3000 Street photography highlights
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
81
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (230g)
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography advice
Samsung NX3000 Sports photography advice
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
no phase detect AF
57
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography highlights
Samsung NX3000 Travel photography highlights
66
comes with focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competitors (230g)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung NX3000 as a Landscape photography camera
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Samsung NX mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging info
Samsung NX3000 Vlogging info
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of microphone socket
34
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (230 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone support
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Samsung NX3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Samsung NX3000
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Samsung 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