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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(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
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and GH1 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 III was manufactured 10 years later than the GH1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-M1 III grades versus the GH1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-M1 III GH1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020July 2009Fresher by 129 months
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 GH1 E-M1 III 

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

 E-M1 III GH1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 III has got physical measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) while the Panasonic GH1 has proportions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 III versus the GH1.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 III and GH1 is 67 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by looking through specifications. The graphic below should give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and GH1.

Plainly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Olympus E-M1 III to result in more detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer E-M1 III should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH1
77
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
59
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography advice
Panasonic GH1 Street photography advice
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
72
screen articulates
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Sports photography camera
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
32
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (320 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Travel photography with Panasonic GH1
79
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
58
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (320 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (320 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Vlogging info
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging info
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
72
selfie friendly screen
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic port
does not have image stabilization
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Panasonic GH1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2020-02-11 2009-07-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic IX Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 25600 1600
Max boosted ISO - 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 -
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, 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)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lbs) 385 grams (0.85 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 772
Other
Battery life 420 pictures 320 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC
Storage slots Dual Single
Retail price $1,800 $949