Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 — 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 · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2
47
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, but they take very different shapes. The E-PM1, from 2011, is the compact option at 110 x 64 x 34 mm and 265 g. The GH2, from 2010, measures 124 x 90 x 76 mm and weighs 442 g, 177 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 | September 21, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 110 x 64 x 34 mm | 124 x 90 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 265 g | 442 g |
| Optics | 47/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH2 is the stronger choice when you want room to crop. Its 16.05 MP sensor gives you more pixels than the E-PM1's 12.3 MP, which helps when a distant subject fills only part of the frame. Both use CMOS sensors in the Micro Four Thirds format and share the Micro 4/3 mount, so either body takes the same native lenses. The E-PM1 is the faster body for action. It shoots at up to 5.5 fps against the GH2's 3 fps, and it offers 35 autofocus points to the GH2's 23, useful for tracking children, pets or sports. In-body stabilisation, the 1/4000 s maximum shutter and the 12800 ISO ceiling are shared. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 16.05 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 | 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. |
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 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 | 16030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 16030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 153360009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH2 is the friendlier body for video editing. It records in MOV as well as AVCHD, while the E-PM1 offers AVCHD only, so GH2 clips drop straight into common editing software without conversion. Both record Full HD video, and both reach up to 60 fps. The GH2's electronic viewfinder helps while filming. You can monitor the frame at eye level, whereas the E-PM1 has no viewfinder and filming is composed on the rear 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. |
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 |
| Features | 36/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH2 is clearly the better equipped body for hands-on shooting. It has a touch screen you can tap to set focus, a flip screen that swings out for waist-level or overhead angles, and a built-in flash for dim rooms. The E-PM1 offers none of these three, so low-light fill and awkward framing both call for add-ons. The screens match in size and dot count, both 3 inches and 460,000 dots, and both offer live view and external flash support. Neither has GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging a travel album needs a separate device. | ||
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 BatteryBoth cameras are rated for 330 shots per charge, and both write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so a day of casual shooting asks the same of either battery. Neither charges over USB. Only the battery packs differ. The E-PM1 uses the BLS-5 and the GH2 the DMW-BLC12PP, so chargers and spares do not cross between the two bodies. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLC12PP |
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
The GH2 is the better pick for anyone who wants a complete shooting tool. Its electronic viewfinder, flip-and-touch screen, built-in flash, higher resolution and MOV recording add up to a body that handles landscapes, video work and indoor family photos without extra accessories. Choose it for tripod setups, eye-level filming and cropping into distant wildlife.
Pick the E-PM1 when portability and action speed matter most. It is far lighter and smaller, and its 5.5 fps burst and 35 AF points suit children and pets in motion. The shared Micro 4/3 mount means lenses move freely between the two bodies.