Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs Olympus PEN E-PM2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M5
55
WINNER
|
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PM2
51
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Olympus PEN E-PM2 are both 2012 mirrorless cameras built on the Micro Four Thirds mount, so they share one native lens catalogue. The E-M5 was announced in February 2012 and the E-PM2 in September. The shared mount makes this a body choice, not a system choice, since a lens bought for one fits the other. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 8, 2012 | September 17, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 89 x 43 mm | 110 x 64 x 34 mm |
| Camera weight | 425 g | 269 g |
| Optics | 54/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M5 is the stronger pick for eye-level shooting. It has a built-in electronic viewfinder, while the E-PM2 has none and depends entirely on its rear screen. In bright light, where a rear screen can be hard to compose with, its eye-level view stays comfortable. Both use a 16.1 megapixel sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format, so files from either camera offer the same room to crop. The E-M5 shoots at 9 fps against 8 fps, a modest gain for a bird taking off, and both include in-body stabilisation for handheld shots in dim interiors. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
9 fps045 | 8 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VI | TruePic VI |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
350300 | 350300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor family clips and web footage the two cameras are evenly matched. Both record Full HD video in MOV or AVI files, and the maximum frame rate is 30 fps on each. Neither includes a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external triggering. In practice the video choice follows the stills choice. The E-M5's viewfinder and tilting screen help hold a steady handheld composition, while the E-PM2 offers only a fixed screen. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, AVI | MOV, AVI |
| Features | 65/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-M5 is the clear winner for outdoor and awkward-angle shooting. It has weather sealing for light rain or dust on a landscape walk, and its tilting OLED screen makes waist-level or overhead framing easy. The E-PM2 has no sealing and a fixed LCD with 460,000 dots against 610,000. Both offer touch control on a 3 inch screen with live view, and neither includes a built-in flash, GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so an external flash unit supplies artificial light on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | OLED | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
6100001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-PM2 holds the useful edge for longer outings. Its BLS-5 battery is rated for 360 shots against 310 for the E-M5's BLN-1, and the different types mean spares do not carry over. The storage arrangements match. Each camera uses a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot with no second slot and no USB charging, so the same cards and a dedicated charger serve either body. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | BLS-5 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
310 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 if you shoot outdoors or at eye level. Its viewfinder, weather sealing, tilting screen and 9 fps burst suit landscape walks in changeable weather and fleeting action like a dog running along the shore.
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PM2 if small size and lighter carrying matter most. It weighs 269 g against 425 g, measures 110 x 64 x 34 mm, and is rated for 360 shots against 310. You give up the viewfinder, sealing and tilting screen but keep the shared 16.1 megapixel resolution, stabilisation and lens catalogue.