• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic FZ2500

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 134 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    497g vs 966g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 35 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic FZ2500 advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/320 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.4 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 50 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

  • Rugged camera body with many physical controls; Generally excellent image quality & high ISO performance for its class; Versatile zoom lens; Fast and accurate autofocus; Unlimited 4K video recording; Fast full-res burst mode with generous buffers.

  • Continuous autofocus performance struggles at telephoto end; Slow buffer clearing (no UHS-II support); Lens produces soft corners at most focal lengths.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ2500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic FZ2500
Olympus E-M5
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic GH3
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic GH4
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Panasonic FZ2500
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M1
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ2500
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ2500 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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