• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 336.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX200 IS advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Canon SX200 IS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.70 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.46 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.9 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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 DMC-ZS3

Canon SX200 IS
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic DMC-ZS3
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS1S

Canon SX200 IS
Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic DMC-ZS1S
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic DMC-ZS7

Canon SX200 IS
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic DMC-ZS7
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Canon SX200 IS
Panasonic GF3
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF3
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Canon SX200 IS
Panasonic GM5
  • $267
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GM5
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Compare Other Cameras?