Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Olympus E-300

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300
      63
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      48
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Olympus E-300, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 was introduced in November 2011 and Olympus E-300 was introduced in January 2005. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 Highlights

      • 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
      • 35 Focus Points (35 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • 5.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit

      Olympus E-300 Highlights

      • 8 MP Micro Four Thirds CCD Sensor
      • 100 - 400 Native ISO
      • 3 Focus Points
      • 1.8" 134k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 2.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Olympus PEN E-PM1
      4. Advantage of Olympus E-300
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Olympus E-300.

      PROS

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 265 g (0.58 lb / 9.35 oz)
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Advantage of Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus PEN E-PM1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus PEN E-PM1 over Olympus E-300.

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Olympus E-300
      Video Capture vs
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 8 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 400
      Max Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 vs 3264 x 2448
      More Focus Points 35 vs 3
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
      Larger Screen 3.0" vs 1.8"
      Higher Resolution Screen 460k dot vs 134k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.5 fps vs 2.5 fps
      Multi-Segment Metering vs
      Center Weighted Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
      HDMI Output Mini type C vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
      Lighter 265 g (0.58 lb / 9.35 oz) vs 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus PEN E-PM1.

      Olympus PEN E-PM2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL7
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN-F
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P7
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      20 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL6
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL1s
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus PEN E-PL8
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Advantage of Olympus E-300

      Olympus E-300
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Olympus E-300 over Olympus PEN E-PM1.

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 vs Olympus E-300
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Built-in Flash vs
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/160 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Orientation Sensor vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-300.

      Olympus E-420
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-500
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      Micro Four Thirds

      8 MP

      Olympus E-600
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Olympus E-400
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-520
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-620
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12.3 MP

      Olympus E-330
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      Micro Four Thirds

      7.94 MP

      Olympus E-410
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-510
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-1
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      Micro Four Thirds

      5 MP

      Olympus E-450
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      Micro Four Thirds

      10.0 MP

      Olympus E-30
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      Micro Four Thirds

      12 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      WEAKNESSES Olympus PEN E-PM1 Olympus E-300
        Small SensorMicro Four ThirdsMicro Four Thirds
        Low Resolution Sensor12.3 Megapixel8 Megapixel
        Timelapse Recording
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot134k dot
        No Microphone Input
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Olympus E-300 has a 1.8" screen with 134k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Olympus E-300 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a .Olympus PEN E-PM1 does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

      Sensor

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 features a 12.3 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800. Olympus E-300 features a 8 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CCD sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 169 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 400 and expands to 100 - 1,600 in boosted mode.


      Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

      Sensor size chart
      Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 is equipped with TruePic VI processor and can take pictures up to 4032 x 3024 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios. Olympus E-300 can take pictures up to 3264 x 2448 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Olympus E-300 has Four Thirds lens mount. Due to their Micro Four Thirds sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 comes with BLS-5 battery pack with battery life of 330 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Olympus E-300 has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II) card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus PEN E-PM1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Olympus E-300. Olympus PEN E-PM1 can shoot continuously up to 5.5 fps. Olympus E-300 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps.


      Flash

      Olympus E-300 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash. Olympus PEN E-PM1 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Olympus PEN E-PM1 and 1/180 sec on Olympus E-300.

      Physical Parameters

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 body has dimensions of 110 x 64 x 34 mm (4.33 x 2.52 x 1.34") and Olympus E-300 body has dimensions of 147 x 85 x 64 mm (5.79 x 3.35 x 2.52"). Olympus PEN E-PM1 weighs 265 g (0.58 lb / 9.35 oz) and Olympus E-300 weighs 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz).

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      110 mm

      64 mm

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      147 mm

      85 mm

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      64 mm

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      85 mm

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      Size comparisons of Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Olympus E-300

      Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Olympus E-300 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      50
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      POOR
      51
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      POOR
      50
      •   400 Highest Native ISO
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      GOOD
      78
      •   Small Sensor
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 265 g (0.58 lb / 9.35 oz)
      GOOD
      73
      •   Small Sensor
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      GOOD
      84
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 265 g (0.58 lb / 9.35 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      GOOD
      78
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Olympus E-300 and give them scores of 63 and 48 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      48

      Sensor

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      POOR
      54
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 8 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      GOOD
      70
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      POOR
      52
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.5 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      45
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   35 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   3 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Small Screen - 1.8"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 134k dot

      Connectivity

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      BAD
      33
      •   Low USB Speed
      •   No HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Olympus PEN E-PM1

      Olympus E-300

      POOR
      43
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 265 g (0.58 lb / 9.35 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 330 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 624 g (1.38 lb / 22.01 oz)


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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