Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


82 Imaging
46 Features
50 Overall
47
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Announced October 2013
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
- No Video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
- Launched January 2009
- Refreshed by Panasonic G2

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and G1 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

The E-M1 was revealed 4 years later than the G1 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-M1 scores against the G1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Panasonic G1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic G1
E-M1 | G1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 59 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+577k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Olympus E-M1
G1 | E-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G1
E-M1 | G1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 offers outside measurements 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 G1 has proportions of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 and the G1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and G1 is 71 and 82 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The visual below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and G1.
To sum up, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Olympus E-M1 to deliver more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-10-28 | 2009-01-19 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePIC VII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 1600 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | 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 |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 10.50 m |
Flash modes | Flash Auto, 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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/320s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | - |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 497 grams (1.10 lb) | 360 grams (0.79 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 73 | 53 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | 21.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.7 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | 757 | 463 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photos | 330 photos |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail pricing | $799 | $0 |