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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
68 Imaging
59 Features
93 Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81 Imaging
49 Features
57 Overall
52

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH2
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic GH1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and GH1 (12MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was launched 7 years later than the GH1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 II scores versus the GH1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic GH1

		

		

			
 E-M1 II GH1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016July 2009More recent by 88 months
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

		

		

			
 GH1 E-M1 II 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic GH1

		

		

			
 E-M1 II GH1 
Manually focus  More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen  Both good for selfies
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Panasonic GH1 has dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic GH1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 II vs the GH1.
Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and GH1 is 68 and 81 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by researching specifications. The visual underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and GH1.
Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1 II to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
	
			Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
 Panasonic GH1 as a Portrait photography camera
75
 has manual focus
 decent megapixels (20MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 has face detect focus
 exports RAW files
59
 manual focus
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
 Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
 Panasonic GH1 as a Street photography camera
78
 screen articulates
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 exports RAW files
 features focus by touch
 weather sealing
 lighter than average in class (574 grams)
 great ISO range (25,600)
72
 fully articulated screen
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Panasonic GH1
74
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 silent shooting (1/32,000s)
 high max frames per second (60.0 fps)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 has tracking focus
 weather sealing
 supports phase detect auto focus
 low battery power (350 per charge)
32
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
 lack of image stabilization
 low resolution (12 megapixels)
 not so great battery (320 CIPA)
 does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison
Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography information
Panasonic GH1 Travel photography information
72
 lighter than average in class (574g)
 weather sealing
 features focus by touch
 decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
 display is selfie friendly
 low battery power (350 CIPA)
58
 has built in flash
 selfie friendly screen
 missing Timelapse recording
 not so great battery (320 per charge)
 low resolution (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison
Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography info
76
 has manual focus
 swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is decent (3 inches)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 decent megapixels (20MP)
 sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
 doesnt have anti aliasing filter
 great ISO range (25,600)
 exports RAW files
 weather sealing
 2 card slots
 low battery power (350 CIPA)
55
 manual focus
 switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 saves RAW files
 lack of image stabilization
 low resolution (12MP)
 not so great battery (320 per charge)
 missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging details
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging details
79
 display is selfie friendly
 has touchscreen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 has face detect focus
 video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
 comes with microphone support
 lighter than average in class (574g)
72
 selfie friendly screen
 high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 comes with microphone jack
 lack of image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2009-07-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support    
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect focus    
Contract detect focus    
Phase detect focus    
Number of focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 10.50 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe    
AEB    
WB bracketing    
Maximum flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure    
Average exposure    
Spot exposure    
Partial exposure    
AF area exposure    
Center weighted exposure    
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 AVCHD
Microphone input    
Headphone input    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 385 gr (0.85 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 64
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 21.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 11.6
DXO Low light score 1312 772
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 320 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC
Storage slots Dual One
Retail cost $1,700 $949