Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF1 — 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 GF1
37
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralPortability favours the Olympus PEN E-PM1 for everyday carry: it weighs 265 g against 385 g for the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF1. It is also the smaller body at 110 x 64 x 34 mm versus 119 x 71 x 36 mm, so it slips into a slimmer bag. Both are mirrorless cameras for the Micro 4/3 system, with the E-PM1 arriving in 2011, two years after the GF1's 2009 release. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
June 30, 2011 | September 2, 2009 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 34 mm | 119 x 71 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 385 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 39/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsHandheld shooting in dim interiors favours the E-PM1, which offers in-body stabilisation while the GF1 does not. That means every Micro 4/3 lens you mount stays steadier at slow shutter speeds, whether it is a pancake prime or a zoom. It also shoots at 5.5 frames per second against the GF1's 3, giving you more frames to catch a child mid-laugh or a bird taking off. The E-PM1 brings 35 autofocus points to the GF1's 23, and its native ISO range reaches 12800 where the GF1 stops at 3200. The GF1's ISO 100 base is handy for wide apertures in bright daylight. The two are otherwise close. Both use a CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format, share the Micro 4/3 mount and top out at a 1/4000 second shutter, while resolution is nearly tied at 12.3 versus 12.1 MP. | ||
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 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 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | 32003003280000 |
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 | No |
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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoAnyone editing clips for a modern television should choose the E-PM1, whose maximum video resolution is Full HD while the GF1 tops out at Standard HD. The extra detail survives viewing on a large screen and leaves room for modest crops in editing. Both record in AVCHD, and the GF1 adds a QuickTime Motion JPEG recording option. Their 60 fps frame-rate ceilings match, which helps smooth playback of moving subjects, and neither includes a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 | AVCHD,QuickTime Motion JPEG |
| Features | 36/100 | 36/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GF1 is the stronger companion when light runs short, because it carries a built-in flash the E-PM1 omits. Its 3 inch screen also flips, so you can frame from waist level for candid street shots or over a crowd, while the E-PM1's fixed panel cannot. Both bodies support an external flash when you want more power, and both screens show the same 460,000 dots. Neither camera offers touch control, Wi-Fi, GPS or weather sealing. | ||
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. |
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 BatteryFor long shooting days the GF1 has the higher battery rating, at 380 shots against 330 for the E-PM1's BLS-5. Card support differs too. The E-PM1 takes SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so high-capacity SDXC storage is an option, while the GF1 accepts SD, SDHC and MMC. Neither body has a second card slot or USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLB13 |
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 photographers the E-PM1 is the better buy. In-body stabilisation keeps handheld evening shots steadier with any lens, its 5.5 fps burst gives you more frames of a moving subject, and Full HD video suits a modern screen.
Choose the GF1 instead for a built-in flash to lift indoor portraits, a tilting screen for waist-level framing, or its longer rated battery life on extended outings. Because both use the Micro 4/3 mount, the lenses you invest in carry over between them.