Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PM1
42
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Standard HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G2
44
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so any Micro 4/3 lens you already own fits either body without an adapter. Both use CMOS sensors in the Micro Four Thirds format. The E-PM1 arrived in 2011 and the G2 in 2010. The bodies differ in size and weight. The E-PM1 measures 110 x 64 x 34 mm and weighs 265 g, while the G2 is larger at 124 x 84 x 74 mm and 428 g, some 163 g heavier. | ||
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 84 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 428 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PM1 is the better pick for photographing moving subjects, offering 5.5 frames per second against the G2's 2.6, and 35 autofocus points against 23. That faster burst rate gives you more chances to catch a sprinting child or a bird lifting off, and the wider AF spread helps keep an off-centre subject sharp. Both cameras also offer in-body stabilisation, so handheld shots at slower shutter speeds hold steady on either body. Resolution is nearly tied, 12.3 MP against 12.1 MP. For framing, the G2 has a 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder while the E-PM1 has no viewfinder, so you compose every shot on its rear screen. | ||
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 | 2.6 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 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe E-PM1 records Full HD video, while the G2 tops out at Standard HD, so choose the Olympus for footage that holds up on a large screen or survives cropping in editing. Both cameras reach a 60 fps maximum frame rate, which keeps smooth motion in either case. Their file formats differ: the E-PM1 records AVCHD, while the G2 offers MOV and AVCHD Lite. Detail, though, follows the resolution ceiling rather than the container. | ||
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 | 60 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, AVCHD Lite |
| Features | 36/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G2 is the more self-contained camera for everyday shooting, with a built-in flash, a touch screen and a flip-out screen, three things the E-PM1 lacks. The articulating screen lets you shoot at waist level or tilt down for a low flower shot, and touch control speeds up setting changes. Both accept external flash units, so you can add a flash for portraits or dim interiors on either camera. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so images move off the camera by card. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
| 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. |
No |  Yes |
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 same SD, SDHC and SDXC cards work in either camera's single slot, so cards move freely between bodies. Neither offers USB charging, and each uses its own battery, the BLS-5 in the E-PM1 and the DMW-BLB13PP in the G2. Both are rated at 330 shots under their test conditions, so the rating gives neither an edge for a day's shooting. | ||
| 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 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus PEN E-PM1 if a small, carry-everywhere body matters most, or if you shoot action and video: it is 163 g lighter, bursts at 5.5 fps with 35 AF points, and records Full HD. Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC G2 if you compose through a viewfinder in daylight, want a flip-out screen for angled shots, or need a built-in flash. Your Micro 4/3 lenses work on either body.