• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX210 advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Samsung NX210

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    932 vs 719 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX210

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PM2

Review Excerpt

  • Super compact and lightweight; Excellent image and print quality that rivals much more expensive CSCs and DSLRs; Solid low-light (high ISO) performance; Touchscreen LCD responsive and useful once you get used to it; Speedy and accurate AF on still subjects; Tons of advanced shooting features and customizing options.

  • Maddening menu system; No physical Mode dial; Motion AF not quite up to par; Mediocre HD video quality; No built-in flash (but a small external flash is included).

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Samsung NX210
Panasonic GF3
  • $408
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF3
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Samsung NX210
Samsung NX2000
  • $408
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PM2
Samsung NX2000
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-A1

Samsung NX210
Fujifilm X-A1
  • $408
  • APS-C
  • External Mic Jack
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-PM2
Fujifilm X-A1
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Samsung NX210
Panasonic GM5
  • $408
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GM5
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Samsung NX210
Samsung NX3300
  • $408
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • External Mic Jack
  • $691
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-PM2
Samsung NX3300
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $691
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas
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