• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PM2 advantages over Leica Q

  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Leica Q 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
    ~ 6.00 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,221 vs 932 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.0 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 7.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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

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
Leica Q
Panasonic GF2
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

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
Leica Q
Panasonic GF3
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

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
Leica Q
Panasonic GM5
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video

Compared to Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Olympus E-PM2
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor
Leica Q
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Leica Q2

Olympus E-PM2
Leica Q2
  • $1599
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out
  • $5264
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica Q
Leica Q2
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5264
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
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