Is the Olympus PEN E-PM1 still worth buying?

Only as a cheap, light starter camera. Later Micro Four Thirds bodies beat it on autofocus, screen and high-ISO quality, but it still takes good daylight photos and shares the same lenses.

Does it have a viewfinder or a hot shoe?

No. The E-PM1 has only the rear 3-inch screen and no accessory shoe, so you cannot add an external flash or electronic viewfinder.

How is the autofocus for kids and sports?

Weak. It uses contrast-detect AF with no phase-detect points, so it hunts in low light and struggles to track fast movement, though single shots in good light are quick.

What lenses fit the E-PM1?

Any Micro Four Thirds lens, including Olympus M.Zuiko and Panasonic Lumix G models. The kit 14-42mm covers a 28-84mm equivalent range.

Does it shoot video, and in what format?

Yes, 1080i Full HD recorded in AVCHD to SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. It has stereo microphone input but no headphone jack.

What comes in the box?

The body, the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm II zoom, a lithium-ion battery and charger, a USB cable, a strap and software discs; check that the charger and battery are included with used copies.

Where is the Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera cheapest?

At Walmart, for $499.00, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera?

2 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, eBay.

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera

Best price now

$499.00at WalmartChecked 11 h ago

Compared across 2 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

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Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera

Best price now

$499.00at WalmartChecked 11 h ago

Compared across 2 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Walmart

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Price facts

Last seen at $499.00 at Walmart on Nov 10.
Checked at 2 stores.

Our take on the Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera

The Olympus PEN E-PM1 is a compact Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera from 2011, sold with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit zoom. It is one of the smallest PEN bodies, with a 12.3MP Live MOS sensor, a 3-inch 460k-dot screen, 5.5 fps burst shooting and 1080i Full HD video in AVCHD. It suits beginners and travelers who want a light interchangeable-lens camera, but its contrast-detect autofocus, fixed screen and modest 300-shot battery life trail later entry-level mirrorless models. Reviewers liked its size, speed and JPEG colors; they complained about the fiddly button layout, noisy high-ISO images and the lack of a mode dial or viewfinder.

Best forFirst-time mirrorless buyers on a budgetTravel and everyday carryUpgrading from a point-and-shootMicro Four Thirds lens sharers

Pros

Very small and light body for an interchangeable-lens camera
Fast 5.5 fps burst and quick single autofocus in good light
1080i Full HD video with stereo sound via optional mic
Access to the wide Micro Four Thirds lens range
Good JPEG color and reliable metering straight out of camera

Cons

No mode dial; settings go through menus and small buttons
Contrast-detect AF hunts in low light and struggles with moving subjects
Fixed 3-inch screen, no viewfinder and no built-in flash hot shoe
High-ISO images get noisy above roughly ISO 1600
Battery rated for only about 300 shots

Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera prices at every store

eBayPre-owned
In stockSold by daiki_4163
$88.74Free shippingChecked Nov 9
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WalmartNew
In stockSold by RareItemReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.
$499.00Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
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Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera price history

Lowest price we've seen: $499.00 on Nov 10 at Walmart. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 10.

What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treated the E-PM1 as a capable, pocketable entry into mirrorless, praising its speed and image quality in good light. Most criticism centered on the cramped controls, weak low-light autofocus and the fixed screen.

What people mention

SizePraisedOwners pick it for how little space it takes up with the collapsible kit lens.
ControlsCriticisedReviewers find the button layout and menu diving awkward compared with a mode dial.
AutofocusMixedIt locks quickly in daylight but hunts and misses in low light or with moving subjects.
Image qualityMixedJPEGs look good at low ISO, but noise shows up above roughly ISO 1600.
BatteryCriticisedThe roughly 300-shot rating means a spare battery is often needed for a day out.
VideoPraisedFull HD AVCHD footage is considered solid for a camera of this age and size.

About the Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera

Olympus PEN E-PM1 - digital camera M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm II lens

Specifications

color: SilverSource
Focal Length: 14-42mm
Lens Highlights: Interchangeable Lens
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 90/1.8 equivalent
Lens System: Micro Four Thirds, Mirrorless
Lens Type

Questions and answers

Is the Olympus PEN E-PM1 still worth buying?: Only as a cheap, light starter camera. Later Micro Four Thirds bodies beat it on autofocus, screen and high-ISO quality, but it still takes good daylight photos and shares the same lenses.
Does it have a viewfinder or a hot shoe?: No. The E-PM1 has only the rear 3-inch screen and no accessory shoe, so you cannot add an external flash or electronic viewfinder.
How is the autofocus for kids and sports?: Weak. It uses contrast-detect AF with no phase-detect points, so it hunts in low light and struggles to track fast movement, though single shots in good light are quick.
What lenses fit the E-PM1?: Any Micro Four Thirds lens, including Olympus M.Zuiko and Panasonic Lumix G models. The kit 14-42mm covers a 28-84mm equivalent range.
Does it shoot video, and in what format?: Yes, 1080i Full HD recorded in AVCHD to SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. It has stereo microphone input but no headphone jack.
What comes in the box?: The body, the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm II zoom, a lithium-ion battery and charger, a USB cable, a strap and software discs; check that the charger and battery are included with used copies.
Where is the Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera cheapest?: At Walmart, for $499.00, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mirrorless Camera?: 2 stores we checked sell it, including Walmart, eBay.