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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Older Model is Panasonic G1
  • New Model is Panasonic G3
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic G2, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-5 (12MP) and the G2 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-5 was revealed 7 months later than the G2 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-5 grades against the G2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic G2

 E-5 G2 
IntroducedFebruary 2011July 2010Fresher by 7 months
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Olympus E-5

 G2 E-5 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic G2

 E-5 G2 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-5 offers exterior measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G2 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic G2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-5 vs the G2.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and G2 is 58 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and G2.

Clearly, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you may want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger E-5 provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-5
Street photography with Panasonic G2
71
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
65
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors (428 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography information
Panasonic G2 Sports photography information
59
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Panasonic G2
56
weather sealing
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
58
has focus via touch
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (428g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
57
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging details
Panasonic G2 Vlogging details
64
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
includes mic jack
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
61
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
has external mic jack
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
heavier than competitors (428 grams)
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Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic G2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic G2
 Olympus E-5Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-03 2010-07-12
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V+ Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.55x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 428 gr (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 53
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 10.3
DXO Low light rating 519 493
Other
Battery life 870 images 360 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual One
Pricing at launch $1,700 $1,000