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Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A77

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A77 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in June 2011 and August 2011. The E-PM1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the A77 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-PM1) and an APS-C (A77) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 12.2 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-PM1
versus
Sony A77
Olympus E-PM1   Sony A77
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Sony A mount lenses
12.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor 24 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/60i Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 100-12,800 ISO 100-16,000 (50 - 25,600)
Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fully flexible screen (no touchscreen)
5.5 shutter flaps per second 12 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
330 shots per battery charge470 shots per battery charge
110 x 64 x 34 mm, 265 g 143 x 104 x 81 mm, 732 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and the Sony Alpha SLT-A77? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-PM1 and the Sony A77. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PM1 can be obtained in six different colors (black, silver, brown, pink, purple, white), while the A77 is only available in black.

Size Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A77
Compare E-PM1 versus A77 top
Comparison E-PM1 or A77 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A77 is considerably larger (111 percent) than the Olympus E-PM1. Moreover, the A77 is substantially heavier (176 percent) than the E-PM1. It is noteworthy in this context that the A77 is splash and dust-proof, while the E-PM1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the E-PM1 gets 330 shots out of its Olympus BLS-5 battery, while the A77 can take 470 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PM1 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 265 g 330 n Jun 2011 499ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A77 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 732 g 470 Y Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-PL5 111 mm 64 mm 38 mm 325 g 360 n Sep 2012 599ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-PM2 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 269 g 360 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-P3 122 mm 69 mm 34 mm 369 g 330 n Jun 2011 799ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-PL2 114 mm 72 mm 42 mm 362 g 280 n Jan 2011 599ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3 110 mm 64 mm 37 mm 313 g 300 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PL1 115 mm 72 mm 42 mm 334 g 290 n Feb 2010 599ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GF5 108 mm 67 mm 37 mm 267 g 360 n Apr 2012 499ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GF3 108 mm 67 mm 32 mm 264 g 300 n Jun 2011 549ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic G2 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 428 g 360 n Mar 2010 599ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GF2 113 mm 68 mm 33 mm 310 g 300 n Nov 2010 549ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A6500 120 mm 67 mm 53 mm 453 g 350 Y Oct 2016 1,399ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A77 II 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 647 g 480 Y May 2014 1,199ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A99 147 mm 111 mm 78 mm 812 g 500 Y Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-PM1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 64 percent) than the A77, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-PM1 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony A77 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the A77 is 63 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.5. The sensor in the E-PM1 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A77 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus E-PM1 and Sony A77 sensor measures

With 24MP, the A77 offers a higher resolution than the E-PM1 (12.2MP), but the A77 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.91μm versus 4.29μm for the E-PM1). It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A77 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A77 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-PM1 are 20.2 x 15.1 inches or 51.2 x 38.4 cm for good quality, 16.1 x 12.1 inches or 41 x 30.7 cm for very good quality, and 13.4 x 10.1 inches or 34.1 x 25.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha SLT-A77 are ISO 100 to ISO 16000, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

E-PM1 versus A77 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the A77 offers substantially better image quality than the E-PM1 (overall score 26 points higher). The advantage is based on 3 bits higher color depth, 2.9 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.7 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-PM1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i21.010.349952
2.
 
Sony A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
3.
 
Olympus E-PL5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388972
4.
 
Olympus E-PM2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.293272
5.
 
Olympus E-P3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.810.153651
6.
 
Olympus E-PL2 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.410.257355
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.910.349952
8.
 
Olympus E-PL1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.148754
9.
 
Panasonic GF5 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.510.057350
10.
 
Panasonic GF3 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i20.610.145950
11.
 
Panasonic G2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.349353
12.
 
Panasonic GF2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/60i21.210.350654
13.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
14.
 
Sony A6500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.513.7140585
15.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
16.
 
Sony A77 II APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.413.4101382
17.
 
Sony A99 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p25.014.0155589
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the A77 provides a faster frame rate than the E-PM1. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the Olympus is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the A77 has an electronic viewfinder (2359k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the E-PM1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the E-PM1 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-2. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Olympus E-PM1 and Sony A77 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-PM1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
2.
 
Sony A772359 Y3.0 / 921 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Olympus E-PL5optional n3.0 / 460 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
4.
 
Olympus E-PM2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
5.
 
Olympus E-P3optional n3.0 / 614 fixed Y 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Olympus E-PL2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3optional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
8.
 
Olympus E-PL1optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic GF5none n3.0 / 920 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
10.
 
Panasonic GF3none n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 3.2/s Y n
11.
 
Panasonic G21440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
12.
 
Panasonic GF2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
13.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
14.
 
Sony A65002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A77 II2359 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony A992359 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 6.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the A77, but is missing on the E-PM1 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The A77 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the E-PM1 does not have a selfie-screen.

The E-PM1 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A77 uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A77 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the E-PM1 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus PEN E-PM1 and Sony Alpha SLT-A77 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-PM1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Sony A77Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
3.
 
Olympus E-PL5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-PM2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Olympus E-P3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
6.
 
Olympus E-PL2Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-PL1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Panasonic GF5-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Panasonic GF3-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic G2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic GF2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
14.
 
Sony A6500Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A77 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony A99Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
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It is notable that the A77 has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The E-PM1 does not feature such a mic input.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A77 (unlike the E-PM1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the A77 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the E-PM1 and the A77 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The E-PM1 was replaced by the Olympus E-PM2, while the A77 was followed by the Sony A77 II. Further information on the features and operation of the E-PM1 and A77 can be found, respectively, in the Olympus E-PM1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A77 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Olympus E-PM1 and the Sony A77? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer the Olympus PEN E-PM1:

  • More compact: Is smaller (110x64mm vs 143x104mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 467g or 64 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (64 percent cheaper at launch).

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha SLT-A77:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 12.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 43%.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (26 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (3 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (2.9 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (0.7 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/60i).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (921k vs 460k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 5.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (470 versus 330) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A77 is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

E-PM1 04:20 A77

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-PM1 and the Sony A77 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the E-PM1 or the A77 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PM1..86/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 499ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A775/591/100..81/100..5/5 Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-PL53/5+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 599ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-PM23/5....77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-P3..83/100..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 799ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-PL23/583/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2011 599ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-PL33/5+ +..72/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PL1..86/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 599ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GF53/5......4.5/54.5/5 Apr 2012 499ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic GF33/582/100..71/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 549ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic G2......72/1004/54.5/5 Mar 2010 599ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GF23/582/100..70/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2010 549ebay.com
13.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A65005/5+ +3.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2016 1,399ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A77 II4/5....80/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 1,199ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A995/5....84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Olympus E-PM1 vs Sony A77

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus E-PM1 Sony A77
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Sony A mount lenses
    Launch Date June 2011 August 2011
    Launch Price USD 499 USD 1,399
    Sensor Specs Olympus E-PM1 Sony A77
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 12.2 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.29 μm 3.91 μm
    Pixel Density 5.42 MP/cm2 6.55 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12,800 ISO 100 - 16,000 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 50 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic VI BIONZ X
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 52 78
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.0 24.0
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.3 13.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 499 801
    Screen Specs Olympus E-PM1 Sony A77
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.73x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2359k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fully flexible screen
    Shooting Specs Olympus E-PM1 Sony A77
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5.5 shutter flaps/s 12 shutter flaps/s
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Olympus E-PM1 Sony A77
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Olympus E-PM1 Sony A77
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Olympus BLS-5 Sony NP-FM500H
    Battery Life (CIPA)330 shots per charge470 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34 mm
    (4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in)
    143 x 104 x 81 mm
    (5.6 x 4.1 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 265 g (9.3 oz) 732 g (25.8 oz)
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