Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2

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Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus XZ-2

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PM1 Review.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Olympus XZ-2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XZ-2.

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Differences

Olympus E-PM1 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$500 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 1.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-PM1 test data on DxO Mark XZ-2 test data on DxO Mark

499 vs 216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
34 mm vs 48 mm
Thinner
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
9 vs 4 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Olympus E-PM1

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
More dots on screen
920k 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
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Olympus E-PM1

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Buy the Olympus XZ-2

Olympus XZ-2

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus E-PM1.
Read our Olympus E-PM1 Initial Test

Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.
Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.
Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3

$500
4/3

Less expensive

$700
4/3

Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Olympus XZ-2

Olympus E-PL3

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF3X

$500
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Touchscreen
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic GF3X

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic GF3X

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

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF5

Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic GF5

$470
1/1.7 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$450
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Olympus E-PM1

Pentax MX-1

$500
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
1/1.7 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2

Pentax MX-1

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
Hot shoe

$399
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

Compared to Canon G16

Olympus E-PM1

Canon G16

$500
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2

Canon G16

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

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