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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5

Portability
71
Imaging
53
Features
85
Overall
65
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Superseded the Panasonic G3
  • Renewed by Panasonic G6
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the G5 (16MP) is very similar and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 was unveiled 16 months later than the G5 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-M1 grades against the G5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Panasonic G5

 E-M1 G5 
ReleasedOctober 2013July 2012Fresher by 16 months
Display resolution1037k920kClearer display (+117k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Olympus E-M1

 G5 E-M1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G5

 E-M1 G5 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 enjoys outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") and a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Panasonic G5 has measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 against the G5.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 and G5 is 71 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 and G5.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of images although you need to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher E-M1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic G5 Portrait photography advice
71
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
Panasonic G5 Street photography details
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
66
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (396 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Sports photography information
Panasonic G5 Sports photography information
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (350 per charge)
51
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1
Travel photography with Panasonic G5
65
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
environment sealing
features touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
66
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average (396g)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic G5 Landscape photography highlights
73
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery pack (350 shots)
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 Vlogging features
Panasonic G5 Vlogging features
36
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic port
lighter than competition in class (497 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
62
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic socket
heavier than average (396 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 and Panasonic G5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-10-28 2012-07-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePIC VII Venus Engine VII FHD
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 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.50 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/320 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 497 grams (1.10 pounds) 396 grams (0.87 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 61
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 11.6
DXO Low light score 757 618
Other
Battery life 350 images 320 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $799 $699