Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65


72 Imaging
47 Features
60 Overall
52
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- 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
- Released October 2013
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
- Released July 2010
- Previous Model is Panasonic G1
- Later Model is Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Overview
The following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G2, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 (16MP) and G2 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (Four Thirds).

The E-M1 was brought out 3 years after the G2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-M1 matches up vs the G2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Panasonic G2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic G2
E-M1 | G2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 41 months |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+577k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Olympus E-M1
G2 | E-M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G2
E-M1 | G2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen size |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys external dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) while the Panasonic G2 has proportions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Examine the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 and the G2.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and G2 is 71 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specifications. The picture below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 and G2.
To sum up, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus E-M1 to deliver greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-10-28 | 2010-07-12 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | TruePIC VII | Venus Engine HD II |
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 | 16MP | 12MP |
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 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 81 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 1,037k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | 1,440k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 11.00 m |
Flash settings | 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 | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/320 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite, 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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 497 grams (1.10 lb) | 428 grams (0.94 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 73 | 53 |
DXO Color Depth score | 23.0 | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.7 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | 757 | 493 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 360 photographs |
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 | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch pricing | $799 | $1,000 |