Olympus PEN E-PM1

507 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
performance (336)
usability (292)
portability (212)
size (132)
price (125)

Negative
viewfinder (26)
memory (2)
storage (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 507 reviews of Olympus PEN E-PM1. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers really like the size and price. The portability and usability are also mentioned favorably. There are some mixed comments about the flash, while some have doubts about the storage and memory.

performance, usability, portability, price, size

viewfinder, memory, storage

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus PEN E-PM1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 507 reviews)

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User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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Showing 1 - 177 of 288 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (217)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus PEN E-PM1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 39 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PM1 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Views about the glare and performance are overall positive. The price and usability also get good opinions. Some have doubts about the viewfinder and durability, while there are some mixed views about the reliability.

portability, usability, price, performance, glare

durability, viewfinder

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Olympus PEN E-PM1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 128 user reviews of Olympus PEN E-PM1 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Opinions about the image quality and price are overall positive. The usability and portability also get good opinions. Reviews are divided on the shutter. Some have doubts about the memory and storage.

performance, portability, usability, price, image quality

reliability, viewfinder, storage, memory

92% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Olympus E-PM1 - digital camera review: Olympus E-PM1 - digital camera

Olympus E-PM1 - digital camera

The ; has a relatively compact and appealing design, and operates similarly enough to a point-and-shoot that upgraders needn't be intimidated. Plus it's priced aggressively.

If you're picky, the image and video quality may not completely satisfy you.

If you're looking for a step-up model that's still pretty compact, the Olympus PEN E-PM1 is a solid, affordable choice.

Feb, 2012

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Expert review by : Kelcey Smith (dpreview.com)

Olympus PEN E-PM1

The classically-styled PEN series of Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens cameras has given Olympus the opportunity to draw attention to the small, popular half-frame models that it produced in its film heyday. But it wasn't just the size and style...

Good low ISO image quality and resolution ; Fast and responsive operation ; Fast, accurate autofocus ; Full HD AVCHD video ; AF assist lamp ; Comprehensive in-camera raw editing capability ; High degree of camera and menu customization ; Art filters...

High ISO noise performance lagging behind competitors' newer sensors ; Overly aggressive default noise filter setting for JPEG output ; Digital IS for video capture can introduce unnatural-looking footage ; Lack of a hand grip can make handling awkward...

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 offers good image quality and manual control in a small, compact body. The E-PM1 offers nearly the same level of customization as its siblings which should appeal to enthusiast shooters, but for compact upgraders it is easy to use...

Nov, 2011

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Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Olympus PEN E-PM1

The Olympus E-PM1 may be the smallest member of the Micro Four Thirds PEN family, but it delivers the same solid build quality and good-looking images as its larger siblings—and it's lightning fast.

Fast autofocus system. Extremely compact. Accessory port for optional EVF. In-camera art filters.

High noise at ISO 1600 and above. No built-in flash. Fixed rear LCD.

I experienced the same frustrations with the Menu system as I did with the E-PL3 when using the camera in Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or Manual modes. You need to first hit OK to access settings and then use the Up/Down buttons on the...

Sep, 2011

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Dan Havlik (wired.com)

Review: Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1

The E-PM1 is a fun camera to shoot with. It produced surprisingly sharp, high-quality images of fast-moving action at the US Open.

Fast autofocus system and 5fps burst shooting mode are enough to keep up with some of the world’s best tennis players. Crisp 1080i HD movies with stereo sound available at the touch of a button. 2x magnification factor from Micro Four Thirds sensor...

Attach a zoom lens and the Mini becomes decidedly less mini. Very slow start-up time might cause you to miss shots of famous celebrities. Images above ISO 1600 are noisy. Menu navigation involves too many button pushes and knob turns. No built-in flash

Sep, 2011

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Expert review by : Michael Palmer (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus PEN E-PM1 (PEN Mini) Preview

Olympus' PEN series of compact digicams just got three more new models. The most affordable, and smallest in the series, is the PEN E-PM1, which will be available in six stylish colors (purple, pink, brown, white, silver, and black). As with its more...

Jun, 2011

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (camcorderinfo.com)

Olympus PEN E-PM1Digital Camera Review

What follows is a quick overview of the video capabilities of the Olympus PEN E-PM1. Read our comprehensive analysis and testing results in greater detail at DigitalCameraInfo.com.

Like most compact interchangeable lens cameras, the Olympus E-PM1 records good, but not fantastic, HD video. If you’re purchasing the camera that you’re primarily planning to use to record video, the E-PM1 is not the model for you. But, if you are...

Dec, 2011

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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Olympus E-PM1 Review

The Olympus E-PM1 (also known as the Olympus PEN Mini) is a brand new 12 megapixel compact system camera. Sporting a slim, stylish and very small metal body, the EPM1 also features the world's fastest auto-focus system, a high resolution 3 inch LCD...

The new Olympus E-PM3 is a great start to a new series of smaller, lighter and sexier PEN cameras, taking the design cues of the E-PL3 further without sacrificing too much in the way of features or ease-of-use. It may not have the tilting LCD screen or...

Oct, 2011

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Expert review by : Camera Labs (cameralabs.com)

Olympus E-PM1

The Olympus E-PM1 is the baby of the 2011 PEN triplets. Nick-named the PEN Mini, the E-PM1 doesn't replace an existing model, but is a new entry in the range designed to appeal to those who want to step up from a point-and-shoot. As such it's smaller,...

Built-in stabilisation works with any lens., 1080i60 movie mode with PASM., Standard hotshoe with an accessory port., Fast start-up and quick AF response

Lacks a touch or tilting screen., Movie stabilisation artifacts., Incorrect control labels when customised., Single-use accessory port

Dec, 2011

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Expert review by : Buy-n-Shoot.com (buy-n-shoot.com)

Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Digital Camera Review

Starting with the cons, the same petty gripe as the E-PL3 was expected… there’s still no HDMI cable to easily plug and play FullHD and 3D capabilities directly to a HD screen. And second the non-easy option to access the ISO function... Even if it does...

Dec, 2011

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Expert review by : Jeremy Stamas (reviewed.com)

Olympus E-PM1

The E-PM1 is the smallest interchangeable lens camera from Olympus, and its video performance was surprisingly good for a camera that comes in such a small body. The PM1 recorded sharp Full HD video in our testing, although it struggled at times in our...

Dec, 2011

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