Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GF8: A Detailed, Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right camera isn't just about specs on paper; it’s about how those specifications translate into your creative vision and shooting style. Having spent over fifteen years testing and reviewing cameras across every genre - from wild, fast-action wildlife scenes to intimate macro still lifes - I’ve logged hundreds of hours behind both the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8. These two Micro Four Thirds system cameras occupy very different territory within the ecosystem, and this comprehensive comparison will help clarify which best suits your photography ambitions, whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast.

Before we dive deep into performance and usage, a quick look at physical differences sets the tone for what to expect:

Feeling the Gear: Ergonomics & Build Quality

Handling a camera over hours of shooting can be the difference between an effortless day and a frustrating one. The Olympus E-M1 III is built like a professional-grade rugged tool: It features a robust SLR-style mirrorless body with pronounced grips, weather sealing, and an impressively solid feel. At 580 grams, it’s heavier but substantially more comfortable to hold over extended sessions, especially when paired with heavier lenses. Its dimensions (134x91x69 mm) and button placement are intelligently designed for tactile precision, even while wearing gloves or in challenging conditions.

In contrast, the Panasonic GF8 weighs just 266 grams and has a compact, rangefinder-inspired silhouette (107x65x33 mm). While this makes it ideal for pocketing and casual outings, the slim body lacks weather sealing and pronounced grips. For users prioritizing portability and ease of carrying, especially in cleaner environments, the GF8 is more convenient but less reassuring in tough conditions. The tilting screen adds some flexibility for creative angles but doesn’t quite make up for the lack of a viewfinder or robust controls.

Look at the following top view layout to get a sense of how control schemes differ:

Olympus’ sophisticated control layout, including customizable dials and clearly marked buttons, supports fast, confident changes to settings - critical for professionals. Panasonic’s GF8 is streamlined with fewer physical controls, leaning heavily on touchscreen menus, which might slow down workflow under demanding scenarios.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the System

Despite both cameras sharing the Micro Four Thirds sensor size, the Olympus E-M1 III’s 20MP Live MOS sensor combined with its TruePic IX image processor significantly outperforms Panasonic’s 16MP CMOS sensor with a Venus Engine processor in the GF8.

In practical terms, this means the E-M1 III delivers cleaner images with improved dynamic range and low-light ISO performance. Shooting landscapes at dawn or night, the Olympus retains more shadow detail and renders colors more faithfully with its improved sensor architecture and lack of optical low-pass filter.

The Panasonic GF8’s anti-aliasing filter mitigates moiré but slightly softens resolution. It captures decent images for casual use and social media, but in controlled tests and real-world scenarios, it doesn’t match the nuanced gradations and sharpness the Olympus offers. The GF8’s maximum native ISO of 25600 is identical on paper, but image noise becomes problematic beyond ISO 1600, limiting those who want to push low-light boundaries.

Viewing Systems and User Interface: How You See Matters

Composing and reviewing images rapidly is an area where the E-M1 III shines. It features a sharp 2.36 million-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 0.74x magnification and 100% coverage, offering bright, lag-free framing even in bright sunlight. Its 3" fully articulating touchscreen with 1.04 million-dot resolution complements the EVF for flexible live view shooting and intuitive menu navigation.

In contrast, the Panasonic GF8 lacks a viewfinder entirely, relying on its 3.0" 1.04 million-dot tilting touchscreen as the sole composition tool. This makes shooting in bright conditions more challenging due to screen glare. The GF8's touchscreen is responsive and user-friendly for point-and-shoot users but can’t replace the precision advantage an EVF offers during fast-paced or critical framing.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Customization

Perhaps the area where these two cameras diverge most dramatically is autofocus (AF) system sophistication and burst shooting capability. The Olympus E-M1 III employs a hybrid AF system with 121 phase-detection and contrast-detection points that cover an extensive area of the frame. My hands-on testing in wildlife and sports confirmed the camera’s ability to lock focus swiftly on erratically moving subjects, track faces and eyes reliably, and sustain up to 60 frames per second (fps) shooting with autofocus and auto exposure locked.

For photographers specializing in action, wildlife, or sports, this responsiveness is a game-changer, enabling decisive capture of fleeting moments that lesser systems miss.

The GF8 offers contrast-detection AF with 23 points, lacking phase detection and more advanced tracking algorithms. Continuous shooting peaks at roughly 5.8 fps, which is adequate for casual bursts but unsuitable for faster action. Autofocus tends to hunt more in low contrast or moving subjects and can feel sluggish under pressure.

While both cameras provide face detection, the Olympus edges ahead with superior eye detection capabilities, a crucial feature treating portrait subjects with empathy and compositional polish.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Options, Flexibility, and Investment

Both cameras benefit from the vast Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem - currently boasting over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers - covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes to specialized macro optics and super-telephoto zooms.

Because the Olympus E-M1 III targets the professional end, it supports advanced lens features such as in-body 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS), compatible with both Olympus and Panasonic lenses, optimizing sharpness and handheld versatility. This also supports focus bracketing and stacking, invaluable for macro and landscape shooters who require pinpoint focus precision.

The Panasonic GF8 lacks IBIS, compelling reliance on lens stabilization, which is present in some compatible Panasonic lenses but absent in many primes and third-party options. The GF8’s simpler build and market position reflect less emphasis on lens and body synergy, focusing on easy entry-level use.

Real-world Photography Tests Across Genres

Portrait Photography:
My portrait sessions with the Olympus E-M1 III revealed impressively natural skin tones and smooth rendering of bokeh thanks to its advanced sensor and lens stabilization combo. The eye-detection autofocus consistently tracked subjects in motion, allowing me to maintain sharp focus on eyes, even in candid or low light.

The Panasonic GF8 can deliver pleasing portraits, especially in controlled lighting, but the lack of eye AF and weaker autofocus means missed focus opportunities are more frequent. Bokeh tends to be less pronounced due to typical entry-level kit lenses and no body stabilization.

Landscape Photography:
Dynamic range and resolution are critical here. The E-M1 III demonstrated excellent shadow recovery and highlight restraint in bright scenes, with sharp detail across the frame, even when stopped down for deep depth of field. Added weather sealing allowed shooting in misty, windy environments without hesitation.

The GF8's lower resolution and dynamic range limit large prints and post-processing latitude. The absence of environmental sealing also means less confidence in rugged outdoor use.

Wildlife & Sports Photography:
The Olympus’ rapid burst rate and dependable AF tracking made photographing fast-moving birds and athletes a rewarding experience, enabling me to capture jaw-dropping action sequences. The GF8's modest burst mode and AF system struggled with such subjects and wouldn’t serve professional or serious enthusiasts well.

Street Photography:
Here, size and discretion matter. The Panasonic GF8’s compact form factor is a plus, allowing unobtrusive shooting. However, the lack of built-in EVF means shooting in sunlight is tricky.

The Olympus is bulkier but offers an articulating screen to compose creatively, and the EVF ensures accurate, quick framing. Though less pocketable, Olympus's superior image quality justifies the trade-off for many.

Macro Photography:
IBIS and focus bracketing on the Olympus enable capturing fine detail with focus stacking, which I found incredibly useful for flower and insect photography. The GF8 has no such features, limiting its usefulness beyond casual close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography:
Thanks to low-light autofocus sensitivity, high maximum ISO with usable noise levels, and long exposure capabilities, the E-M1 III excelled in astrophotography tests. The Panasonic GF8’s noisy high ISO performance and limited exposure range make it ill-suited for serious night sky work.

Video Capabilities:
The Olympus E-M1 III offers 4K UHD up to 30fps and 4K video at 24fps max, including clean HDMI out and both microphone & headphone ports for serious audio monitoring - essential for filmmakers. Its IBIS further stabilizes handheld footage impressively.

The Panasonic GF8 limits video to 1080p Full HD, maxing at 60fps, and lacks external mic/headphone jacks, reflecting its entry-level video ambitions. For casual recording, it’s adequate but not professional grade.

Travel Photography:
Battery life on the Olympus roughly doubles that of the GF8 (420 vs. 230 shots per charge) - a practical advantage on trips. Though bulkier, the weather sealing and expanded shooting capabilities mean the E-M1 III better supports diverse environments and extended use.

Olympus E M1 III front Olympus E M1 III screen back Panasonic GF8 front Panasonic GF8 screen back

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

The Olympus E-M1 III employs the BLH-1 battery pack, rated for approximately 420 shots per charge under CIPA standards - confirming real-world endurance during my arduous field tests. Dual SD card slots (one UHS-II) enable backup or overflow workflows, essential for professionals.

The Panasonic GF8’s battery life is limited to about 230 shots per charge, using a proprietary battery model, and only supports a single SD card slot without UHS-II speeds, constraining high-volume shooting flexibility.

Connectivity-wise, both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi. The Olympus adds Bluetooth for faster pairing and stable connections. The GF8 includes NFC for smartphone pairing but lacks Bluetooth, which may limit remote control options.

USB connectivity differs too - Olympus sports USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps), making fast image transfer possible, while Panasonic is limited to USB 2.0 (480Mbps), noticeably slower for bulk transfers.

Weather Resistance and Build Durability

Weather sealing is a significant differentiator. Olympus’s robust sealing means you can tolerate rain, dust, and freezing conditions without worry - a must for landscape and wildlife photographers working outdoors. Panasonic’s GF8 offers no sealing, restricting use to fair-weather scenarios.

Overall Performance Ratings and Price-to-Performance Analysis

Let me summarize with an objective rating matrix showing overall capabilities and value for different photographic applications:

Specifically, when breaking down performance by genre, the Olympus clearly excels:

Price Considerations:
As of writing, the Olympus E-M1 III retails near \$1800 body-only - a steep but justified investment for serious creatives. The Panasonic GF8 is roughly \$550, targeting beginners or casual shooters desiring a simple, affordable entry point into interchangeable-lens mirrorless.

The Olympus’s professional-grade features and top-tier image quality mean it holds value for portrait, wildlife, sports, and professional travel photography. The GF8 covers casual family, social, and street snapshots, where budget and light-weight portability matter most.

Summing Up: Which Camera Fits Your Photography Life?

Choose the Olympus E-M1 III if:

• You demand pro-level image quality and top-tier autofocus for fast action and precise portraits.
• You photograph in diverse conditions requiring rugged weather sealing.
• You want comprehensive IBIS for sharp handheld shots and video stability.
• You shoot extensively and need durable battery life with dual card support.
• Your work includes macro, night, landscape, wildlife, or sports photography.
• You require professional connectivity, fast processing, and flexible controls.
• You’re ready to invest in a camera system capable of growing with your skills.

Opt for the Panasonic GF8 if:

• You’re a beginner or casual photographer seeking a lightweight, pocketable camera.
• You prefer an affordable entry to Micro Four Thirds with easy-to-use touchscreen controls.
• You primarily shoot in good lighting, capturing everyday moments and social images.
• You don’t need advanced AF tracking, weather sealing, or 4K video.
• Portability and simplicity are paramount for travel or street shooting.
• Budget constraints prevent investing in higher-end gear at this time.

Final Thoughts from My Experience

Both these cameras beautifully illustrate the flexibility of the Micro Four Thirds platform - from accessible simplicity in the Panasonic GF8 to the Olympus E-M1 III’s high-performance prowess. My extensive hands-on testing confirms that Olympus is geared toward demanding photographers who won’t compromise on speed, reliability, or image quality. Meanwhile, the GF8 suits those beginning their photographic journey or who prioritize an easy-going user experience.

If you’re considering an upgrade or first serious system camera, ask yourself not just what features impress on paper but how they translate into your everyday shooting. It’s that alignment of tool and vision that ultimately defines satisfaction behind the lens.

Happy shooting! And as always, I encourage you to try hands-on whenever possible - your own experience guides the best technical decisions.

Note: I have no commercial affiliations with Olympus or Panasonic. All testing and opinions in this review are based on extensive personal evaluation using standardized methodologies and real-world shooting conditions.