Olympus PEN
E-PM1
 vs
Olympus
PEN E-PL1

Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PM1

57

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PM1

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 60fps
Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Panorama
 In-camera panoramas
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus
 Movie continuous focus
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Olympus PEN E-PL1

44
Runner-up

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Reasons to buy the Olympus PEN E-PL1

Image stabilization
 Image stabilization
Sensor shift
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Interchangeable lenses
 Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
External flash
 External flash
Better lighting
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
60 seconds
Built-in flash
 Built-in flash
External flash not needed

differences

Advantages of the Olympus E-PM1
Screen size Much larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
 More than 10% larger screen
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video at a higher frame rate
Movie continuous focus Continuous video focus Yes vs No
Help
 Record movies without worrying about focus
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The E-PM1's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Focus points More focus points 35 vs 11
Help
 Set focus accurately within the frame
Battery life Longer battery life 330 shots vs 290 shots
Help
 More than 10% more shots per battery charge
Size Smaller 110x64x34 mm vs 115x72x42 mm
Help
 More than 30% smaller
Fastest shutter speed Much faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
 2x faster max shutter speed
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5.5 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 More than 80% faster continuous shooting
Dynamic range More dynamic range 10.3 EV vs 10.1 EV
Help
 0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.7"
Help
 Around 20% thinner
Weight Lighter 263 g vs 334 g
Help
 More than 20% lighter
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Learn more about
the Olympus E-PM1

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL1
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Color depth Better color depth 21.5 bits vs 21 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.5 more bits of color
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 54.0 vs 52.0
Help
 Almost the same
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
 Around 10% larger sensor
Lowest price Cheaper $259.99 vs $499.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $240 cheaper (around 50% less)
Olympus PEN E-PL1 Learn more about
the Olympus PEN E-PL1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
57 vs 44
Explain scores
Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Olympus PEN E-PM1.

advice

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Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!
0
votes
by Emily-Bahne last month
Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus PEN E-PL1

I'm a beginner. I'm going to be traveling all over the world and I want a camera that is light and...
0
votes
by Aaron-McGee this month
Canon S100 vs Olympus E-PM1

Quality and a long lasting product are important. Ease of use of controls and functions, too. I ...
2
votes
by Brad-Jones this month
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am an expert beginner! I have been interested in photography all my life, with a parent who wo...

8 people recommend the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" Lumix its the best from those choice and U can get cheaper G1 or G2 "

" personally I have not been happy with the olympus's I have used.  I would check amazon or bhphot..."
One person recommends the Olympus E-PM1:

" GF1 or GX1 , because it is the best ;) I have one, beside of my 5D mkII."
3
votes
by Nicole-Chan last week
Nikon J1 vs Olympus E-PM1

I am a beginner. My husband has a Nikon D7000 but I find it too bulky. Although the picture qual...

6 people recommend the Olympus E-PM1:

"The Nikon 1 J1 has and optional lens adapter that would make you use your husband's lenses since h..."

" The J1 has too small of a sensor for high quality photos in anything but bright daylight. Nikon ..."

" 4/3 lenses are more common. Most optically perfect m39 screw mount lenses can be used perfectly ..."
0
votes
by trixie-bird last week
Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

Intermediate.  Want to take pictures or people and landscapes.

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Image stabilization Good image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
E-PM1:$499.99
PEN E-PL1:$259.99
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
60 seconds
True resolution Capture low resolution images Help
12.2 MP
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Screen flips out No flip-out screens Help
Less flexible
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
E-PM1:10.3 EV
PEN E-PL1:10.1 EV
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
E-PM1:460k dots
PEN E-PL1:230k dots
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
E-PM1:52.0
PEN E-PL1:54.0
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
E-PM1:499 ISO
PEN E-PL1:487 ISO

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Startup delay Has slightly less startup delay
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
Shutter lag Has much less shutter lag
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$589 - $600 with 14-42mm lens
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost light sensitivity
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the PEN Lite E-PL3 vs the PEN E-PL1
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the 1 J1 vs the PEN E-PL1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Startup delay Has much less startup delay
Image stabilization Doesn't have image stabilization
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the PEN E-PL1
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Image stabilization Has better image stabilization
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Much shorter exposures
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN E-P1

Olympus PEN E-P1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$184 body only

$375 with 17mm lens
Weight Is slightly heavier
Compare the PEN E-P1 vs the PEN E-PM1
Compare the PEN E-P1 vs the PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Compare the NEX C3 vs the PEN E-PM1
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Much better image quality
Image stabilization No image stabilization
Lens availability Fewer lenses available
Compare the NEX-5N vs the PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Olympus PEN E-PL1.

appearance

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus PEN E-PL1

discussion

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