Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony HX80

Below, we are contrasting the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony HX80, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the HX80 (18MP) is very well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and HX80 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was introduced 3 years before the HX80 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-PM2 grades versus the HX80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery and Sony HX80 Gallery.

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 features outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Sony HX80 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony HX80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PM2 against the HX80.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and HX80 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Quite often, it is very tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and HX80.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PM2 having a larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Sony HX80 will resolve extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.