Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3
58 Imaging
48 Features
76 Overall
59
![Olympus E-5 front Olympus E-5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-E-5/Olympus-E-5-front.jpg)
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH3/Panasonic-GH3-front.jpg)
66 Imaging
52 Features
80 Overall
63
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Launched February 2011
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
- Announced September 2012
- Superseded the Panasonic GH2
- Updated by Panasonic GH4
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Overview
Here, we are evaluating the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic GH3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and GH3 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
The E-5 was manufactured 19 months prior to the GH3 making them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-5 matches up vs the GH3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-5 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-5 Gallery and Panasonic GH3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Panasonic GH3
E-5 | GH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 614k | Sharper display (+306k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Olympus E-5
GH3 | E-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 19 months |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Panasonic GH3
E-5 | GH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both good for selfies |
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-5 enjoys outer measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Panasonic GH3 has measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).
See the Olympus E-5 versus Panasonic GH3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-5 and the GH3.
![Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH3-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and GH3 is 58 and 66 respectively.
![Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH3-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The picture here might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and GH3.
Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Panasonic GH3 to show more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged E-5 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.
![Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH3-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder
![Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Olympus-E-5-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH3-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Olympus E-5 vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications
Olympus E-5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus E-5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2011-02-03 | 2012-09-17 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePic V+ | Venus Engine VII FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 23 |
Cross type focus points | 11 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 45 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 920 thousand dots | 614 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | HyperCrystal transmissive LCD | OLED Monitor with static touch control |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,744 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.67x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames per second | 20.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 18.00 m (at ISO 200) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 800 grams (1.76 pounds) | 550 grams (1.21 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") | 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 56 | 71 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.6 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.5 | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 519 | 812 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 870 photographs | 540 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLM-5 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 2 | Single |
Pricing at release | $1,700 | $799 |