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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
Portability
72
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1
(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
Panasonic G2
(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
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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).

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic G2

 E-M1 G2 
ReleasedOctober 2013July 2010Newer by 41 months
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Olympus E-M1

 G2 E-M1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic G2 Portrait photography features
71
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1
Street photography with Panasonic G2
78
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than competition (497 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
65
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (428 grams)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Sports photography camera
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
low battery (350 per charge)
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Travel photography camera
65
lighter than competition (497g)
weather proofing
includes focus via touch
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
low battery (350 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
58
supports focus by touch
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (428 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic G2 Landscape photography factors
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery (350 shots)
57
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic G2 Vlogging factors
36
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone port
lighter than competition (497g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
61
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection focusing
comes with external mic jack
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than competition in class (428g)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic 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