Olympus E-600 vs Panasonic Lumix GH5S: A Tale of Two Micro Four Thirds Cameras Across a Decade

When it comes to choosing a camera, especially from the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) universe, you're faced with a dazzling array of options. Today, we’re diving deep into the Olympus E-600, a decade-old entry-level DSLR that marked a stepping stone for many into interchangeable lenses, against the Panasonic Lumix GH5S, an advanced pro-oriented mirrorless powerhouse that truly pushes boundaries in video and low-light performance.

How do these two cameras, separated by nearly 9 years of technological leaps, hold up - not just on spec sheets but in real-world scenarios across portraiture, wildlife, video, and beyond? And crucially, how do their differing design philosophies and user experiences affect daily creativity?

I’ve lived and breathed the Micro Four Thirds system for years, testing countless lenses and bodies, so let's unpack the practical realities and performance nuances you really need to know.

Getting a Feel: Size, Ergonomics, and Design Philosophy

Looking at their physical presence, these two cameras couldn’t be more different animals - partly due to their generations, partly because of their target users.

The Olympus E-600 embodies the compact DSLR ethos of the late 2000s, weighing a modest 515g with dimensions of 130x94x60 mm. Small but chunky enough to feel solid in hand, its control layout is straightforward and designed for beginners easing into manual control.

Contrast that with the Panasonic GH5S - a beefier 660g slab at 139x98x87 mm, reflecting its pro mirrorless ambitions and the inclusion of advanced weather sealing and tougher build materials. The GH5S demands respect on first touch and offers a reassuring heft suitable for long days shooting in challenging environments.

Speaking personally, the E-600 reminded me fondly of my early DSLR days - light enough to carry all day, yet the grip wasn’t quite as sculpted for long-hand comfort. The GH5S has a refined grip and button placement for speed, although its added size and weight won’t suit every street or travel photographer.

But size isn’t just about comfort - it influences your travel packing, quickness to shoot, and even how discreet you appear. More on that later.

The top plate comparison underscores how Olympus opted for simplicity with fewer buttons and a more rounded body, whereas Panasonic’s GH5S offers dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and customizable buttons. This higher level of tactile control made me feel more “in command” when shifting rapidly between settings, especially in dynamic shooting scenarios like sports or wildlife.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tech Dissection Between Generations

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds sensor size - 17.3x13mm - packing an identical crop factor of 2.1x. However, the E-600 sports a 12 MP CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter, while the GH5S pares back to 10 MP but notably omits the low-pass filter (a hot topic for sharpness aficionados). Here’s a closer look:

• Olympus E-600: 12MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, with TruePic III+ image processor, native ISO 100–3200, anti-aliasing filter present to reduce moiré but soften fine detail, and a max shutter speed of 1/4000s.

• Panasonic GH5S: 10.2MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor optimized for video and low light, lacks anti-aliasing filter for crisper images, massive ISO range 160–51200 expandable to 80–204800, Venus Engine 10 processor for advanced noise reduction and processing, max shutter speeds up to 1/8000s (mechanical) and silent electronic shutter to 1/16000s.

In field tests - looking at resolution, color depth, and dynamic range - the GH5S’s sensor and newer processor combo bring significantly cleaner images at high ISO compared to the E-600’s older tech.

This is no surprise: the E-600’s DxO Mark scores tell the tale with an overall score of 55, color depth of 21.5 bits, and dynamic range around 10.3 stops. The GH5S hasn’t been officially tested by DxO, but real-world users and my hands-on experience confirm superior low-light capabilities, wider dynamic range capture, and often more natural color rendering.

The absence of an anti-aliasing filter on the GH5S means sharper details but at the risk of moiré in studio or architectural shots - something I noticed when shooting patterned fabrics or architectural lines. Olympus’s more moderate 12MP results in smoother images but slightly less resolving power.

Viewing and User Interface: Optical vs Electronic

The transition from optical to electronic viewfinders has divided diehard shooters for years. The Olympus E-600 relies on a traditional pentamirror optical viewfinder with 95% coverage and 0.48x magnification, while the GH5S offers a bright 3.68-million-dot OLED EVF covering 100% frame and magnification of 0.76x.

On the rear LCD, the E-600 has a modest 2.7-inch fully articulated, 230k-dot screen with reliable but basic HyperCrystal technology. Compare that to the GH5S’s expansive 3.2-inch articulated touchscreen with 1.62 million dots - vivid, detailed, and tactile in operation.

Using an optical finder like on the E-600 offers the advantage of zero lag and natural viewing, useful in fast-action or bright conditions. However, I found the GH5S EVF’s rich detail, exposure preview, and overlays far more helpful when manually tweaking settings on the fly.

The touch interface on the GH5S also accelerates navigation and focus selection, something the older Olympus camera simply lacks.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems have evolved dramatically since 2009. Olympus’s E-600 features a 7-point AF system with contrast and phase detection. It supports single and continuous AF modes plus face detection, but tracking is basic by today’s standards.

The GH5S incorporates a robust 225-point contrast-detect AF with advanced AI tracking algorithms supporting continuous AF, subject tracking, face detection (including eye AF), and focus bracketing/stacking functions.

In practical use:

• The E-600’s autofocus works well for static subjects and simple compositions but struggles to maintain focus reliably in sports or wildlife where speed and accuracy are critical.

• The GH5S excels in these challenging conditions - tracking birds in flight or athletes sprinting across a field is a snap with its rapid 12 fps burst rate and clever AF algorithms.

Curiously, although the GH5S lacks phase detection AF (common in modern mirrorless), its contrast-based system is so finely tuned that it often rivals or surpasses competing cameras with hybrid systems, particularly in video where smooth, accurate focus transitions shine.

Photography Disciplines: Finding Strengths for Your Genre

Let’s dig into how these cameras perform across the spectrum - from portraits to astrophotography. Here’s an honest rundown:

Portraits: Skin Tones and Bokeh Beauty

The Olympus E-600’s 12MP sensor delivers pleasing, natural-looking skin tones straight out of the camera, helped along by Olympus’s TruePic III+ processor. However, the smaller sensor size limits shallow depth of field control, making dreamy bokeh tougher to achieve unless using fast primes at wide apertures.

The Panasonic GH5S, despite having a slightly lower resolution sensor, measures up well with smooth gradations and excellent color rendition - especially when shooting RAW and processing in Lightroom or Capture One. Its high ISO capabilities help when shooting in dim indoor settings like wedding receptions or events.

Eye detection autofocus, surprisingly advanced on the GH5S, aids in locking sharp focus on subjects even when moving - an invaluable asset for portrait shoots.

Winner: GH5S in terms of flexibility and critical sharpness, though E-600 still holds charm for basic portraiture.

Land and Landscape: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Landscape photographers will find the E-600’s 12MP sensor somewhat limiting in resolution. Yet, it boasts respectable dynamic range (~10.3 EV), helpful for recovering shadows or highlights in bright scenes.

The GH5S excels here - its lack of AA filter and large pixel size provide sharp, detailed landscape files that hold up to large prints. While it’s only 10MP, the sensor’s dynamic range and high ISO headroom shine on moody dawn or dusk shots.

Weather sealing on the GH5S lets you shoot confidently in damp or dusty environments, a non-starter with the E-600 which lacks any sealing.

Wildlife: Autofocus and Burst Rates

Here’s where the two cameras part ways dramatically. The E-600’s 4 fps burst and 7 AF points feel quite limited. Tracking erratic wildlife movements, especially small birds or fast mammals, is tricky.

In contrast, the GH5S boasts 12 fps burst shooting with continuous AF tracking across 225 points. Though the lower resolution sensor isn’t ideal for massive cropping, in practice its speed and accuracy produce a higher keeper rate in wildlife sessions.

Couple that with the vast Panasonic lens selection tailored for wildlife and the GH5S is a clear choice here.

Sports: Tracking Fast Action

Sports photography demands almost robotic responsiveness. Here the E-600’s older AF and slower burst rate again bottleneck your ability to capture decisive action.

The GH5S was built with such scenarios in mind - more responsive shutter, smooth AF tracking, and an electronic shutter option to silence clicks without compromising shutter speed. I tested it at local games and was impressed with hit rate, though at 10MP files won’t rival the crop capabilities of higher-res competitors.

Street Photography: Discreteness and Portability

If stealth and speed define your street style, the Olympus’s compact and quieter mechanical shutter might feel less intrusive in candid environments. The GH5S, while mirrorless, is larger and louder (though it does offer silent electronic shutter modes).

The E-600’s smaller size favors quick snaps out of the bag. However, its lack of built-in Wi-Fi or connectivity, along with limited ISO, may hamper spontaneous sharing or night shooting.

Macro: Close-Up Precision and Stabilization

Neither camera excels inherently in macro by sensor spec alone, but features matter.

The Olympus E-600 boasts sensor-based image stabilization - essential when handholding macro lenses for fine work with shallow DOF. Meanwhile, the GH5S lacks in-body IS, relying instead on lens IS or rig stabilization.

However, the GH5S supports focus stacking and bracketing, plus post-focusing - features that massively boost macro photographers’ toolkit.

Night and Astro: High ISO and Exposure Control

Low light is where the GH5S truly flexes its muscle. Its extraordinary ISO range (up to an insane 204800 expanded) combined with low noise floor and ability to shoot silent electronic shutter at extremely fast speeds provide advantages for night sky shooters and low-light enthusiasts.

The E-600, limited to ISO 3200, increasingly shows its age here, with visible noise and compression artefacts beyond ISO 800 in many tests.

Video: The Obvious Divide

To say video capabilities separate these two is putting it mildly.

• E-600: No video. Period.

• GH5S: Professional 4K video capture up to 60p, support for 10-bit 4:2:2, internal recording in multiple codecs, robust audio inputs with mic and headphone jacks, advanced video features like V-Log L profile, slow-motion, and HDR modes.

For hybrid shooters or serious videographers, the GH5S is a game changer. In my own video shoots, it provided rich colors and smooth footage - even with run-and-gun setups - while the Olympus sadly remains mute.

Build Quality and Durability

The GH5S features a magnesium alloy frame and partial weather sealing (dust and splash resistant), inviting confident use outdoors in worse conditions.

The E-600’s plastic body feels well-built for its class but offers no weather protection, limiting its outdoor usefulness in inclement weather.

Ergonomically, the GH5S is more customizable with programmable buttons and a refined grip, suitable for professional workflows. The Olympus keeps it simple for user-friendliness but lacks those nuanced controls.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

• E-600: Uses a BLS-1 battery offering up to 500 shots per charge, with storage options limited to one slot for either CompactFlash or xD Picture Card. The single slot can be inconvenient for buffer-heavy shooting.

• GH5S: Powered by a DMF-BLF19 battery with rated ~440 shots, but dual SD card slots with UHS-II support are a huge plus for pros needing backups or extended recording. USB 3.1 for fast transfers and built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth round out connectivity nicely.

In practice, the GH5S’s battery lasts about a full day of shooting, but heavy video work will drain it faster, so spares are advisable.

Lens Ecosystem: What Are You Working With?

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds mount, but the lens libraries have come on leaps and bounds.

The Olympus E-600 debuted when MFT lenses were still ramping up - there were 45 lenses at launch, mostly primes and zooms.

Today, the GH5S benefits from a roster of over 100 lenses ranging from ultra-wide fisheyes, pro telephotos, macro, and specialized cinema lenses. Panasonic and Olympus each have stellar primes and zooms optimized for mirrorless autofocus and image stabilization.

This means choosing the GH5S opens up a much richer arsenal for all photography types.

Price-to-Performance: Where’s Your Money Best Spent?

The E-600 can now be found at bargain-basement prices (often $100 or less used), making it a fantastic entry point for new MFT shooters on tight budgets.

The GH5S retails around $2500 body-only, a significant investment justified only if you exploit its professional video and low-light strengths.

For casual shooters, enthusiasts, or learners, the E-600 remains charming but severely limited by modern standards.

Visual Verdict: Sample Images and Shooting Tests

Nothing beats seeing side-by-side samples from both cameras.

Olympus E 600 screen back Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back

From high ISO nighttime shots to bright landscapes, the GH5S captures cleaner, sharper and more detailed photos with a wider tonal range. The Olympus performs admirably under good light, producing pleasant colors and decent detail - but struggles clearly once ISO climbs or in dynamic scenes.

Final Scorecards: Overall and by Photography Genre

Let’s take a step back and summarize how these models rate on key criteria:

These charts speak volumes. The GH5S dominates in video, low light, sports, and wildlife, while the E-600 retains relevance in casual portraiture and basic landscapes.

Who Should Buy the Olympus E-600?

• Absolute beginners wanting low-cost gear to learn photography fundamentals
• Hobbyists on tight budgets shooting mostly outdoors or travel snaps
• People interested in lightweight, simple DSLR form factor without video needs
• Those who prefer an optical viewfinder and basic manual exposure control

Who Should Invest in the Panasonic GH5S?

• Professional and semi-pro videographers demanding cutting-edge 4K/60p capture
• Enthusiasts shooting wildlife, sports, or low-light scenes regularly
• Photographers needing a rugged, weather-sealed body with deep lens choice
• Hybrid shooters wanting best-in-class autofocus and fast continuous shooting

Wrapping Up: A Decade Apart, Both Endearing in Their Own Right

The Olympus E-600 is an honorable relic, a gateway drug for DSLR photography enthusiasts during the Micro Four Thirds revolution of the late 2000s. It’s basic, affordable, and good for learning the ropes but reveals its age quickly when challenged.

The Panasonic Lumix GH5S is unapologetically professional, packed with cutting-edge tech tailored for today’s hybrid photo/video creator. It commands a premium price for outstanding performance and versatility, especially if you shoot demanding genres like video or wildlife.

Picking between them boils down to your shooting ambitions and budget. There is no contest from a pure specs and performance standpoint. Yet, sometimes the best tool is simply the one that inspires and fits your current journey - whether that’s an Olympus E-series beginner camera or a robust Panasonic GH series workhorse.

Here’s to thoughtful choices and, above all, fabulous shooting!