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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
89
Overall
73

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Launched October 2013
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GH5 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
  • 4992 x 3744 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 727g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Released July 2021
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DC-GH5M2
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH5
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH6
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Overview

Here is a detailed assessment of the Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the GH5 II (20MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 was launched 8 years before the GH5 II and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-M1 matches up vs the GH5 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic GH5 II

 E-M1 GH5 II 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 II over the Olympus E-M1

 GH5 II E-M1 
ReleasedJuly 2021October 2013Fresher by 94 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k1037kSharper display (+803k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic GH5 II

 E-M1 GH5 II 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 provides external dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) and the Panasonic GH5 II has sizing of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 727 grams (1.60 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 versus the GH5 II.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and GH5 II is 71 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The graphic below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and GH5 II.

To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic GH5 II to deliver more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The older E-M1 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH5 II
71
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/320s)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
77
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography advice
Panasonic GH5 II Street photography advice
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
74
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus via touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic GH5 II Sports photography factors
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low battery power (350 CIPA)
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
low battery pack (400 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Panasonic GH5 II
65
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
weather sealing
comes with focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
low battery power (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
69
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
low battery pack (400 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GH5 II Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery power (350 CIPA)
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery pack (400 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GH5 II Vlogging highlights
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
76
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4992 x 3744 pxls)
comes with mic port
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic GH5 II
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
Also called - Lumix DC-GH5M2
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2013-10-28 2021-07-30
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 81 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 108
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037k dot 1,840k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Flash Auto, 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/320s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4992x3744 (30p/?25p/?24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 4992x3744
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 grams (1.10 pounds) 727 grams (1.60 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 13.1
DXO Low light score 757 1136
Other
Battery life 350 shots 400 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 DMW-BLK22
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single Two
Retail cost $799 $1,700