• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 2500

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Differences

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Leica M-E (Typ 220)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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 787 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 2500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M-E (Typ 220) advantages over Olympus E-PM2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
    ~ 6.91 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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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

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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Panasonic GF2
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) 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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Panasonic GF3
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Olympus E-PM2
Leica M Monochrom
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Leica M Monochrom

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Leica M Monochrom
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Leica M Monochrom

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Olympus E-PM2
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PM2 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Leica M (Typ 240)

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

Leica M-E (Typ 220)
Panasonic GM5
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica M-E (Typ 220) vs Panasonic GM5

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