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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic GH3
(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  • Superseded the Panasonic GH2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH4
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and GH3 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was brought out 4 years later than the GH3 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-M1 II matches up versus the GH3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic GH3

 E-M1 II GH3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016September 2012Fresher by 49 months
Display resolution1037k614kClearer display (+423k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 GH3 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic GH3

 E-M1 II GH3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II has exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Panasonic GH3 has dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the GH3.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and GH3 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and GH3.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1 II to result in more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Portrait photography camera
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography information
Panasonic GH3 Street photography information
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (574g)
great high ISO (25,600)
65
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography info
Panasonic GH3 Sports photography info
75
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
not so great battery life (350 shots)
63
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (540 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
environment proofing
provides focus via touch
MP count good (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (350 shots)
71
great battery pack (540 per charge)
weather proof
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
heavier than others (550g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Landscape photography camera
76
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery pack (540 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Vlogging camera
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
65
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others (550g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic GH3
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-09-19 2012-09-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine VII FHD
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - OLED Monitor with static touch control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 1,744 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.67x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 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, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lb) 550 gr (1.21 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 71
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1312 812
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 540 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $1,700 $799