• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Olympus E-M10

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 45 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    384g vs 515g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PM2
Kit with 14-42mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm lens (Black)
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Buy the Olympus E-M10
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
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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).

  • Read our Olympus E-PM2 Review

  • Great image quality especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.

  • Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.

  • Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF2
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF2

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GF2
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF3
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GF3

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GF3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GX7
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GX7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GM5
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic GM5

Olympus E-M10
Panasonic GM5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-PM2
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10
Olympus E-M10 II
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • $349
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

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