• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 102,400

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Differences

Olympus E-PM1 advantages over Canon R3

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $5999 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Canon R3 advantages over Olympus E-PM1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    No vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 760 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    3 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    4150k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    30.0 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    150 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PM1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon R3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
Canon R3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GF5
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon R3
Panasonic GF5
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Leica SL2-S

Olympus E-PM1
Leica SL2-S
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon R3
Leica SL2-S
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $4895
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Canon R5 C

Olympus E-PM1
Canon R5 C
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $4499
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon R3
Canon R5 C
  • $5999
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $4499
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
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