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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
67
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Boost to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Released March 2023
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the E-PM2 (16MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizing.

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The E-PM2 was announced 10 years before the ZV-E1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PM2 matches up versus the ZV-E1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-PM2 ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PM2

 ZV-E1 E-PM2 
ReleasedMarch 2023May 2013More recent by 119 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Sony ZV-E1

 E-PM2 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3.00"Equivalent display measurement
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PM2 has outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Sony ZV-E1 has proportions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") along with a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PM2 vs the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PM2 and ZV-E1 is 89 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM2 and ZV-E1.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PM2 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Olympus E-PM2 will deliver greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older E-PM2 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
72
you can focus manually
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Street photography camera
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
84
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
above average ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Sports photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect auto focus
72
silent shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery life (570 per charge)
has phase detect AF
low maximum shutter speed (1/ seconds)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Travel photography camera
66
features touch focus
good MP (16MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
79
better than average battery life (570 shots)
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
display is selfie friendly
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Landscape photography camera
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery life (570 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Sony ZV-E1
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
85
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 1920 pixels)
has mic socket
lighter than competition in class (483g)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Sony ZV-E1
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Sony ZV-E1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2013-05-21 2023-03-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 25600 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 40
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 759
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 195
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3.00"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds -
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x1920
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269g (0.59 pounds) 483g (1.06 pounds)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 570 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $448 $2,198