• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D600 advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 0.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.1 vs 22.7 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,980 vs 932 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.2 vs 12.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 16 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Nikon D600

  • 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
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    384g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.9 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.0 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PM2

Review Excerpt

  • Great controls for amateur or pro; Good grip and heft; Impressive low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Dust and oil spatter problem; Moire problem with certain subjects; Slower X-sync speed; Slow AF in Live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

  • 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

Nikon D600
Panasonic GF3
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF3
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 6D

Nikon D600
Canon 6D
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus E-PM2
Canon 6D
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D610

Nikon D600
Nikon D610
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
Olympus E-PM2
Nikon D610
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1271
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D600
Nikon D750
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1698
  • 35mm
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-PM2
Nikon D750
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1698
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Nikon D600
Panasonic GM5
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GM5
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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