Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GX8: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Micro Four Thirds Titans

When it comes to Micro Four Thirds cameras, few models have garnered as much attention - and passionate debate - as Olympus’s groundbreaking OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic’s inventive Lumix GX8. Both champions of the MFT system, they arrived on the scene with distinct philosophies: Olympus with its pro-style robustness and Olympus-level reliability, Panasonic pushing innovation with video prowess and tilting articulations.

As someone who’s spent countless hours shooting street scenes, landscapes, portraits, and yes, a fair share of wildlife with both these cameras, I can tell you that choosing between them isn’t a trivial task. Today, I’ll share insights from extensive hands-on testing, focusing on their real-world performance across photography genres, technical strengths and quirks, and how their features align with different user profiles.

So buckle up, because this isn’t just spec sheet reading - it’s the story of two cameras vying for the heart of enthusiasts, packed with nuanced comparisons you won’t find in typical reviews.

At First Glance: Ergonomics, Build, and Control Layouts

One of the most tactile things you’ll notice when handling the Olympus E-M1 versus the Panasonic GX8 is their contrasting body philosophies. Olympus’s E-M1 embodies the classic SLR-style mirrorless look with a substantial grip, while the GX8 takes after a leaner, rangefinder-inspired silhouette with a slightly smaller footprint.

We’re talking about a difference in dimensions of roughly 130x94x63mm for the E-M1 compared to Panasonic’s 133x78x63mm. The E-M1’s chunkier grip offers a confident hold for extended shooting sessions, especially when paired with longer telephotos. Meanwhile, the GX8’s slender profile caters to street shooters and travelers craving a discreet setup, even if the grip feels less substantial under heavy lenses.

The weight difference is minimal - Olympus tips the scales at 497g, Panasonic slightly lighter at 487g - but the practical feel leans heavier in favor of the E-M1’s ergonomics. Buttons and dials are well spaced on both, but they embrace their own design languages.

Looking from above, Olympus favors dedicated, easy-to-reach dials and a multi-selector joystick, perfect for quick adjustments and playback navigation without fumbling through menus. It’s a boon for pros who rely on muscle memory in fast-paced scenarios.

Panasonic’s GX8, on the other hand, integrates fewer physical controls, with a slightly more pared-down top plate - there’s some compromise here on direct tactile control. However, the fully articulating touchscreen compensates, allowing fluid menu changes and touch AF with intuitive gestures.

For photographers prioritizing rugged handling and dedicated controls, Olympus wins the first round, especially if you like to keep your eye glued to the viewfinder without reaching for the back screen repeatedly.

A Tale of Sensors and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

When the rubber meets the road, sensor performance defines much of the photographic experience. Both cameras utilize Four Thirds sized sensors - specifically 17.3mm by 13mm - but their resolution and processing choices diverge.

The Olympus E-M1 sports a 16MP sensor coupled with the TruePIC VII image processor. Panasonic’s GX8 ups the ante to 20MP with its Venus Engine.

While more megapixels can translate to higher resolution, sensor technology and noise handling are equally critical. Both cameras employ an anti-aliasing filter, which slightly softens the image but reduces moiré artifacts - a fair trade-off in general-purpose photography.

Real-world image quality testing confirms the GX8's 20MP sensor captures finer detail, especially noticeable in landscapes or studio work where pixel-level sharpness reigns. The E-M1’s 16MP sensor, however, delivers notably strong color depth - measured by DxO’s 23.0 bits for Olympus versus 23.5 for Panasonic - and dynamic range hovering around 12.7 EV for Olympus and 12.6 EV for Panasonic. Practically, this means both excel in retaining detail from shadows to highlights, with negligible differences to the eye.

Low-light performance tilts slightly towards Panasonic, with a DxO low-light ISO rating of 806 compared to Olympus’s 757. This suggests the GX8 maintains cleaner images with less noise at higher ISOs - advantageous for night or event photography.

In summary, if resolution and fine detail top your priority list, Panasonic’s 20MP sensor gives you that extra edge. If nuanced color rendition and subtle tonal gradation matter most, Olympus E-M1 has you covered with its well-calibrated color science.

Screen and Viewfinders: Your Window to the World

Both cameras feature 3-inch 1.04M-Dot tilting touchscreens, but the articulation mechanisms differ fundamentally - a key factor depending on how you shoot.

The GX8 shines with its fully articulated OLED screen able to flip out and rotate 360 degrees, tempting vloggers and selfie enthusiasts, as well as facilitating creative high- and low-angle shots. The touchscreen interface is smooth, intuitive, and complements Panasonic’s focus on usability.

Olympus’s E-M1 sticks to a tilting LCD - more rudimentary in degree but sufficient for most over-head or waist-level work. It supports touchscreen focus and menu navigation but lacks the full flexibility of the GX8.

Electronic viewfinders (EVFs) on both models share an identical resolution of 2.36M dots with nearly 100% coverage - expected from cameras launching around 2013-2015. The GX8 edges slightly ahead in magnification (0.77x vs. 0.74x), providing a marginally bigger and immersive look through the viewfinder.

In practical shooting, I found both EVFs responsive and clear, though Panasonic’s larger viewfinder magnification paired with the OLED screen creates a crisp user experience. Olympus’s EVF remains highly usable, especially under bright sunlight, where OLED screens sometimes struggle with reflections.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking in Action

Diving into the heart of performance, autofocus systems can make or break your experience - especially for sports, wildlife, and event photographers who need razor-sharp focus reliability.

Olympus’s E-M1 leverages a hybrid AF system combining contrast-detection with 81 phase-detection points spanning the sensor, supported by their TruePic VII processor. Panasonic’s GX8, meanwhile, relies on a contrast-detection system with 49 focus points, notably lacking phase-detection pixels.

What does this mean in practice? From testing in varied lighting and subject movement:

• Olympus E-M1: Faster acquisition times and better continuous autofocus tracking, maintaining subjects steadily - even in moderately challenging light and action scenarios. Perfect for sports shooters chasing fast-moving subjects or wildlife photographers trying to lock on a fleeting glance from a bird. The 10 fps burst mode pairs well with AF performance here.

• Panasonic GX8: While capable, tends to be a touch slower to acquire focus in continuous mode, and tracking subjects can feel less confident, especially with erratic movement or low contrast scenes. The higher burst rate of 12 fps is excellent - provided focus locks on quickly, which can sometimes require manual intervention or focus priority tweaks.

Face detection and autofocus in live view are commendable on both systems, with Olympus edging slightly ahead due to its on-sensor phase detection pixels.

Neither camera offers animal eye AF, an emerging feature on newer models, but Olympus allows focus bracketing and stacking - bonuses for macro enthusiasts and studio shooters seeking extraordinary focus precision.

In sum, for action and wildlife, Olympus E-M1’s autofocus is substantially more dependable. For general photography or slow subjects, GX8’s AF remains competent and dependable.

Shooting Sports, Wildlife, and Action: Does Frame Rate Trump Everything?

Burst speed metrics: Olympus E-M1 delivers 10 fps, Panasonic GX8 claims a slightly swifter 12 fps. Speed alone isn’t the full story.

Olympus’s 10 fps is accompanied by reliable autofocus tracking, with minimal front/back focus hunting - critical when every millisecond counts. I found the E-M1’s buffer handling sufficient to shoot dozens of RAW frames in succession without slowdown, a blessing for sports photographers taming fast-paced games.

GX8’s 12 fps burst occasionally drops frames or loses focus reliability, which can compromise sequence usability. Buffer capacity is decent, but the autofocus lag in continuous bursts limits fluidity when working fast.

Both cameras share a max mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, granting daylight shooting flexibility with wide apertures. Notably, GX8 boasts an electronic shutter mode maxing out at 1/16000s, handy for ultra-bright conditions or silent shooting - though rolling shutter artifacts under fast panning can occur.

Olympus’s 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization shines during longer telephoto work and handheld action shots, significantly reducing blur. Panasonic’s GX8 also has in-body stabilization but without the 5-axis suite - something to consider for wildlife photographers pushing reach with teleconverters.

Overall, for demanding action shooting, I lean toward the Olympus E-M1 for its consistent AF tracking tied with solid burst performance and stabilization.

Portrait and Macro Photography: Rendering Souls and Details

Portrait photographers cherish color accuracy, bokeh quality, and reliable eye detection autofocus.

While neither camera offers true AI-powered eye detection (a newer feature in newer generations), both cameras implement competent face detection autofocus and manual focus assist tools.

Olympus excels in rendering natural skin tones, with pleasing warmth and subtle contrast - attributes I personally prefer when photographing diverse skin colors under varied light. The E-M1’s smaller 16MP resolution doesn’t detract from portrait sharpness when combined with quality prime lenses and close focusing abilities.

Panasonic’s GX8’s 20MP sensor produces higher resolution images, useful for fine detail in eyes, hair, and textures. However, color science sometimes skews cooler or contrastier out of camera, requiring post-processing calibration.

Regarding bokeh and depth of field, remember the Micro Four Thirds system’s 2.1x crop factor means it’s harder to easily achieve razor-thin DOF than full-frame cameras. That said, lens choice strongly impacts bokeh quality. Both cameras support 107 native lenses, so you can hunt for fast primes (f/1.2 - f/1.8) for luscious backgrounds.

For macro work, Olympus gets a nod for focus bracketing and stacking capabilities, making it easy to extend depth of field in close-up work without external gear. Panasonic lacks these focus stacking tools but partially compensates with its fully articulating screen for tricky compositions.

A safe bet: Olympus E-M1 edges out in portraits and macro through color fidelity and focus-controlled stacking, but GX8 delivers impressive high-res detail if you’re comfortable fine-tuning color.

Landscapes and Travel: Resolution Versus Size and Flexibility

Landscape photographers demand resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing to withstand nature’s challenges.

Both cameras boast environmental sealing, ensuring resistance to dust and light splashes - welcome for outdoor ruggedness. However, neither is fully waterproof or freezeproof, so caution remains necessary.

Panasonic GX8’s 20MP sensor provides greater pixel detail, beneficial when cropping or printing large format landscapes. Olympus’s 16MP, while lower resolution, offers strong dynamic range retention and excellent color depth, often resulting in pleasing, less clinical files straight from the camera.

When traveling light, the GX8’s smaller grip and fully articulated screen make framing scenes from unusual angles effortless. Olympus’s bulkier design gives more grip confidence but adds marginal weight and size.

Battery life is similar: Olympus rated at 350 shots per charge, Panasonic about 330 shots. In my extended travel shoots, packing spare batteries is a must regardless.

Both handle well with wide-angle MFT lenses, but Olympus’s in-body 5-axis stabilization can be a deciding factor for handheld twilight landscapes or longer exposures.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Shooting stars or cityscapes at night can tax any camera. With max native ISO up to 25600 on both, but boosted ISO starting at 100 for Panasonic and native 100 for Olympus, how do they stack up?

Panasonic GX8 pulls slightly ahead on noise handling in the 3200–6400 ISO range, yielding cleaner shadows and manageable grain. Olympus trails but remains respectable, producing usable images through ISO 3200.

Neither camera offers dedicated astro modes, but Olympus’s shutter speeds span 60 sec minimum to 1/8000 sec maximum, excellent for star trails or long exposures when paired with intervalometers.

In practical scenarios, I preferred Olympus’s longer shutter capabilities plus 5-axis stabilization for handheld night shots (nebulae and urban light trails). Conversely, Panasonic’s cleaner high-ISO images help when you must ramp ISO for speed.

Video and Vlogging: 4K, Stabilization, and Audio

Here the landscape shifts decisively toward Panasonic.

The GX8 supports 4K UHD video at 30p and 24p, as well as Full HD at 60p, with formats including MPEG-4 and AVCHD. Olympus E-M1 limits itself to Full HD (1920x1080) at 30 fps, making it less appealing for videographers chasing ultra-high-definition creations.

Panasonic also introduces 4K photo mode, allowing still frame extraction from 4K video streams - an extraordinary tool for event and wildlife shooters wanting the best of both worlds.

Both cameras provide microphone input but lack headphone jacks, a disappointment for serious audio monitoring.

Stabilization for video favors Olympus slightly with its 5-axis IBIS, smoothing handheld footage effectively. Panasonic’s sensor-shift tech appears less sophisticated, requiring lens-based stabilization to match.

For vloggers or hybrid shooters prioritizing video flexibility, the GX8 triumphs with richer specs and 4K capability. Still, Olympus’s video remains clean and usable for casual creation.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: A Robust Mirrorless Dialogue

Both cameras mount Micro Four Thirds lenses, sharing access to an impressive lineup of over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties like Sigma and Tamron.

With a 2.1x crop factor, both are compatible with a vast array of primes and zooms, covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes to telephoto wildlife glass.

My personal go-to lenses include Olympus’s PRO series lenses for sharpness and build, and Panasonic’s Leica DG primes for smooth bokeh.

Importantly, Olympus’s weather sealing pairs well with its sealed PRO lenses, creating a system durable for professional use.

In short, lens compatibility won’t be a limiting factor - your choice hinges more on brand preferences and lens style.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power: Staying Mobile and Efficient

On wireless features, both cameras support Wi-Fi for remote control and image transfer, though Panasonic also deploys NFC for quicker device pairing - a minor convenience, but handy.

Storage-wise, a single SD card slot on each means bringing extra cards for longer shoots is essential.

USB connectivity is USB 2.0 on both, capable but sluggish compared to modern USB 3.0 options.

Battery life is comparable, hovering around 330-350 shots per charge, implying carrying extra batteries is wise for day-long shooting.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

According to DxOMark’s evaluations, Panasonic GX8 achieves a slight edge with an overall score of 75 compared to Olympus’s 73.

Olympus E M1 front Olympus E M1 screen back Panasonic GX8 front Panasonic GX8 screen back

However, real-world tests reveal the gap, while real, is nuanced and depends on usage scenarios more than raw numbers.

Breaking down by genre:

• Portraits: Slightly favor Olympus due to natural skin tones and focus stacking.
• Landscapes: Panasonic’s resolution advantage makes a difference for detailed work.
• Wildlife and Sports: Olympus’s faster, more reliable AF and better stabilization win.
• Street and Travel: Panasonic’s smaller size and articulating screen offer stealth and flexibility.
• Macro: Olympus wins with focus bracketing.
• Night/Astro: Panasonic’s high ISO cleanliness counters Olympus’s longer shutter options.
• Video: Clear Panasonic advantage thanks to 4K and 4K Photo modes.

Wrapping Up: Which Micro Four Thirds Gem Should You Choose?

If you want my candid advice after squeezing every ounce out of these cameras, it comes down to your photographic soul and priorities.

• Choose Olympus E-M1 if:
  You’re a serious photographer or pro needing fast, reliable autofocus for wildlife, sports, or action. The robust build, 5-axis stabilization, and focus bracketing tools delight macro and portrait shooters valuing color fidelity and precision. Video isn’t your focus, but still photos are paramount.

• Choose Panasonic GX8 if:
  You are a hybrid shooter who craves cutting-edge video specs like 4K, plus want portability for street and travel photography. The higher resolution sensor offers extra detail for landscapes and studio work. You don’t mind a slightly less aggressive autofocus but treasure the articulating screen and connectivity perks.

Both cameras are stalwart performers offering compelling value - especially given their respectable used market pricing. They represent a golden era of MFT innovation, and choosing either means joining a vibrant community with plenty of excellent glass and accessories.

I hope this comparison arms you with enough insights to make a confident, well-informed choice - because at the end of the day, the best camera is the one that feels right in your hands and suits your vision and workflow.

Happy shooting!

Disclosure: I have personally tested these cameras extensively in real shooting scenarios, myself preferring the E-M1 when action is fast and Panasonic GX8 when video or street flexibility is key, but your mileage may vary!