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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2018
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic GH5S, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and GH5S (10MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was brought out 15 months before the GH5S which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-M1 II grades against the GH5S for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-M1 II GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-M1 II

 GH5S E-M1 II 
AnnouncedJanuary 2018September 2016Fresher by 15 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k1037kClearer screen (+583k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic GH5S

 E-M1 II GH5S 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II provides external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH5S has specifications of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic GH5S in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 II versus the GH5S.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and GH5S is 68 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The graphic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and GH5S.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Olympus E-M1 II to deliver more detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older E-M1 II is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Portrait photography camera
75
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
62
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Street photography camera
78
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
weather sealing
lighter than competitors (574g)
good ISO range (25,600)
68
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Sports photography camera
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (350 per charge)
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Panasonic GH5S
72
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
weather sealing
provides focus via touch
good MP (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (350 shots)
61
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography information
Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography information
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
63
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Panasonic GH5S Vlogging information
79
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic jack
lighter than competitors (574g)
68
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
features face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic jack
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2016-09-19 2018-01-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 3680 x 2760
Max native ISO 25600 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 160
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 1,620k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000s 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 4096x2160
Video format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 lb) 660g (1.46 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 440 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Retail pricing $1,700 $2,498