Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC G10 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PM1
42
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G10
40
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PM1 is the more portable option of these two Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, announced in 2011 against the Panasonic Lumix DMC G10's 2010 launch. It measures 110 x 64 x 34 mm and weighs 265 g, against the G10's 124 x 90 x 74 mm and 388 g, a 123 g difference. The two cameras share a mirrorless design and the Micro Four Thirds mount, so either takes the same native lenses. Resolution is nearly even at 12.3 MP for the E-PM1 and 12.1 MP for the G10. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 30, 2011 | March 7, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 34 mm | 124 x 90 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 388 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PM1 is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects, combining a 5.5 fps burst rate with 35 autofocus points. The G10 manages 3.2 fps from 23 autofocus points, so fast action gives you fewer frames and fewer focus areas. For framing, the G10 has a built-in electronic viewfinder with 202,000 dots, while the E-PM1 has none. The E-PM1's standard ISO range reaches 12800 against the G10's 6400, giving more room to raise sensitivity in dim light. The G10's base ISO of 100 suits bright daylight work where the E-PM1 starts at 200. Both use CMOS sensors, offer in-body stabilisation, and share a 1/4000 second maximum shutter speed. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 12.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
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. |
5.5 fps045 | 3.2 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 | Venus Engine HD II |
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 | 10030200 |
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. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
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. |
20030200 | 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. |
128003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
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 | 230300 |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 20200009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe E-PM1 is the clear video choice, recording AVCHD at up to Full HD with a 60 fps maximum frame rate. The G10's limits are Standard HD resolution and a 30 fps maximum, so its clips show less detail on a large screen. The G10 records in MOV, while the E-PM1 uses AVCHD. Neither camera has a built-in timelapse mode, so interval work needs external triggering on both. | ||
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 |  Standard 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 | 1280 x 720 |
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. |
60 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. |
AVCHD | MOV |
| Features | 36/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G10 has a built-in flash, giving immediate fill light for backlit portraits or dim interiors without extra gear. The E-PM1 has none, though both cameras support external flash units. The rear screens match at 3 inches and 460,000 dots, and both offer live view. Neither camera has a touchscreen, a flip-out screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, or weather sealing, so wireless transfer and geotagging are not built in. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 G10 has the higher battery rating, at 380 shots against 330 for the E-PM1, about 15 percent more. Their battery packs differ, DMW-BLB13PP for the G10 and BLS-5 for the E-PM1, so spares are not interchangeable. Both cameras write to the same SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards in a single slot. Neither charges over USB, so each needs a dedicated charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLB13PP |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most buyers the E-PM1 is the better pick. Its 5.5 fps burst and 35 autofocus points suit children's sports and street photography, its Full HD video serves family clips, and its 265 g body slips into a small bag.
Choose the G10 instead when eye-level framing matters, such as landscape or travel work in bright light. Its electronic viewfinder, built-in flash for fill light, ISO 100 base, and longer 380-shot rating make it the more self-contained camera for daylight shooting, at the cost of a heavier body and weaker video.