• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-PM1 advantages over Panasonic FZ47

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ47 advantages over Olympus E-PM1

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video

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
  • 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

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PM1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic FZ47

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent zoom range; Full HD movies; Quick menu for easy adjustments; Excellent controls; Fast shutter lag.

  • Tendency to blow highlights in cloudy conditions; Lacks RAW mode; Lens hood blocks flash; Movie record button awkward.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ47 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P100

Olympus E-PM1
Nikon P100
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Nikon P100

Panasonic FZ47
Nikon P100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Panasonic FZ47 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Panasonic FZ47
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

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

Panasonic FZ47
Olympus E-PL3
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ47 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

Panasonic FZ47
Panasonic GF3X
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ47 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

Panasonic FZ47
Panasonic GF5
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ47 vs Panasonic GF5

Compare Other Cameras?