• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Canon SX730 HS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.19 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in 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 5.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX730 HS advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 154k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy the Olympus E-PM2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX730 HS

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 GF2

Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GF2
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic GF2
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic GF3
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Canon SX730 HS
Panasonic GM5
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon A900

Olympus E-PM2
Nikon A900
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon SX730 HS
Nikon A900
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher-res screen
  • $397
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Olympus E-PM2
Canon SX740 HS
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $442
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
Canon SX730 HS
Canon SX740 HS
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • NFC
  • $442
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Longer video battery life
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