Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF2 — 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 · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GF2
40
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF2 are compact mirrorless cameras sharing the Micro Four Thirds format, so any native lens fits either body. The E-PM1 arrived in 2011 as the smaller, lighter option at 110 x 64 x 34 mm and 265 g. The GF2 launched in 2010 at 113 x 68 x 33 mm and weighs 45 g more at 310 g. | ||
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 | November 4, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 34 mm | 113 x 68 x 33 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 310 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 39/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor handheld work in low light and with moving subjects, the E-PM1 holds the useful advantages. It offers in-body stabilisation, which the GF2 lacks, so unstabilised lenses still get steadied handheld shots. Its 5.5 fps burst more than doubles the GF2's 2.6 fps for children or pets in motion, and its ISO ceiling of 12800 doubles the GF2's 6400, leaving more sensitivity settings available as light falls. Megapixel counts sit close enough at 12.3 MP against 12.1 MP that practical cropping room is effectively the same. Both use CMOS sensors and share a 1/4000 second shutter limit. The E-PM1's 35 autofocus points cover more of the frame than the GF2's 23, helping off-centre subjects. The GF2's 100 ISO base setting suits bright snow or beach light where the E-PM1 starts at 200. | ||
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 FHD |
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 | 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 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoEither camera covers casual family video, since both top out at Full HD resolution and both reach a 60 fps frame rate. The useful difference is the recording choice. The GF2 offers Motion JPG alongside AVCHD, while the E-PM1 records in AVCHD. | ||
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. |
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 | Motion JPG, AVCHD, PAL |
| Features | 36/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GF2 is the easier camera for casual shooting because it has a built-in flash and a touch screen. Tapping the screen to place the focus point suits quick candid portraits, and the internal flash rescues dim party snapshots without carrying extra gear. The E-PM1 has neither, though both bodies support external flash units. Their rear screens share the same 3-inch, 460,000-dot design with live view, so framing and playback stay familiar on either. Neither camera has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so travel photos rely on manual location notes and card transfers. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so the same card stock serves either body and neither offers a backup slot. Neither charges over USB. The E-PM1's BLS-5 battery is rated at 330 shots against 300 for the GF2's DMW-BLD10, a modest edge in the rated figures. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLD10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-PM1 for handheld shooting in dim interiors, moving children or pets, or unstabilised prime lenses, where its stabilisation, 5.5 fps burst and wider ISO range all help. Choose the GF2 for touch focusing and a flash that is always on board for indoor snapshots. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, the same Full HD video ceiling and the same 60 fps frame rate limit, so your lenses carry across either choice.