Olympus E-M10 IV vs Panasonic G95: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

In my decade-and-a-half shooting experience, few decisions spark as much debate as choosing between two solid Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV and the Panasonic Lumix G95. Both vie for attention with their attractive size, respectable specs, and versatile lens ecosystems. Yet they cater to subtly different photography philosophies and use cases. Over weeks of rigorous testing and real-world shooting across genres - from the quiet alleys perfect for street photography to fast-paced sports matches - I’m excited to share a detailed comparison that balances geeky tech spectra with practical day-to-day performance.

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking for your first flexible mirrorless system or a pro seeking a compact backup camera, I’ll break down their core differences and strengths, including sensor chops, autofocus, ergonomics, video, and much more.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Controls

I always like to start with a tactile comparison because a camera’s feel influences your connection to the craft.

Compact and Classic vs. Rugged and Purposeful

The Olympus E-M10 IV weighs a mere 383 grams and measures 122 x 84 x 49 mm, embracing a classic SLR-style mirrorless form factor with a clean, streamlined grip. It’s incredibly pocketable and fits naturally in day-to-day carry bags - a real plus for casual travel and street shooters who crave discretion.

In contrast, the Panasonic G95 is heftier at 536 grams and larger at 130 x 94 x 77 mm, exuding a robust feel with more pronounced grip contours. It proudly wears weather sealing (dust and splash-resistant), which immediately told me it’s engineered for more rugged outdoor scenarios, perfect for landscape photographers braving inclement conditions.

Take a look yourself:

The Olympus E-M10 IV (left) appears noticeably smaller and lighter than the Panasonic G95 (right), which offers a beefier grip and weather sealing.

Control Layouts: Intuitive or Comprehensive?

From the top view, the Panasonic G95 boasts a more extensive set of dials and buttons, including a dedicated ISO dial and customizable function buttons. This is invaluable for photographers who demand quick manual exposure adjustments on the fly. The G95’s top LCD display, although small, adds subtle convenience for checking camera status without pulling your eye from the scene.

The Olympus, with its MODE dial and fewer external buttons, prioritizes simplicity. This strikes me as ideal for enthusiasts just diving into manual controls or casual shooters seeking straightforward operation.

The Panasonic G95 (right) offers more physical controls and a top status LCD compared to the Olympus E-M10 IV (left), favoring photographers who want rapid access to settings.

On balance, if you value compactness and simplicity, the Olympus makes a fine compromise; but if you’re chasing a fully manual, tactile experience - especially outdoors - the Panasonic’s control scheme edges ahead.

Sensor, Image Quality & Processing: What’s Underneath Matters Most

In hands-on testing, the sensor’s capabilities profoundly influence every shot’s baseline quality.

Micro Four Thirds Sensors with Minor Differences

Both cameras use 20-megapixel Four Thirds sensors with a focal length multiplier of 2.1x typical for Micro Four Thirds systems, yielding a 17.4 x 13 mm sensor area (Olympus) versus Panasonic’s very slightly smaller 17.3 x 13 mm sensor. The difference is negligible in practice.

However, Panasonic’s sensor lacks an anti-aliasing filter, giving it a slight edge in perceived sharpness and fine detail resolution. Olympus applies an AA filter, which can marginally soften images but reduces moiré artifacts - something to consider if you shoot subjects with fine repetitive patterns.

Both sensors share similar dimensions, yet Panasonic’s lack of an anti-aliasing filter can yield crisper details in some situations.

Real-World Image Testing: Color, Dynamic Range, and Noise

Shooting the same scenes under controlled light, the Olympus’s TruePic VIII processor delivers punchy colors with warm skin tones ideal for portraits. The Panasonic’s Venus Engine generates a more neutral palette, offering natural landscapes with greater dynamic range and better highlight retention.

At higher ISOs (3200–6400), Panasonic’s sensor demonstrates cleaner shadows and less chroma noise, an advantage for low-light and night photography. That said, Olympus’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization compensates well for slower shutter speeds, allowing me to maintain sharp handheld shots even in low light.

In summary: Panasonic G95 edges slightly ahead in image quality through its sensor design and processing, especially for landscapes and low-light tasks, but Olympus remains impressive for punchy portraits.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking in Action

No discussion of these cameras is complete without AF evaluation.

Contrast-Detection Systems with Fast Responsiveness

Neither camera employs phase-detection AF, relying solely on contrast-detection. However, Olympus E-M10 IV boasts 121 focusing points versus 49 points on Panasonic G95, giving it a denser AF pad for selective focusing.

In still photography, both delivered reliable autofocus locking on static subjects. I noticed Olympus’s eye detection was well-tuned for portraits with consistent sharpness on eyes and face. In contrast, Panasonic’s AF struggled marginally in low-contrast scenes and slower acquisition speed.

Tracking Moving Subjects: Wildlife and Sports

When I tested continuous AF in a bird flight and a local soccer game, Panasonic’s burst shooting rate of 9 fps (versus Olympus’s 8.7 fps) paired with improved AF tracking gave it a slight edge in capturing decisive moments. However, due to contrast detection limits in both cameras, rapid subject movement sometimes led to focus hunting.

Neither camera offers animal eye AF, which is worth noting for serious wildlife photographers.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Ready for Adventure?

For on-location photographers, build robustness is crucial.

The Panasonic G95’s weather sealing means protected use in light rain and dusty environments - a real confidence booster when shooting landscapes or fieldwork without carrying bulky rain covers. Olympus E-M10 IV lacks any sealing, so I advise caution in rough weather or outdoor sports.

Ergonomically, Panasonic’s deeper grip puts less strain on your fingers during long handheld sessions, while Olympus’s compact size excels in lightweight portability.

LCD and Viewfinder: Framing and Reviewing Your Shots

Both have 3-inch LCD screens but differ in articulation and resolution.

Screen Flexibility and Resolution

Olympus’s tilting touchscreen (1,040k dots) allows for creative angles but limits fully articulated movement. Panasonic’s fully articulated touchscreen (1,240k dots) swivels entirely, perfect for vloggers or shooting over obstacles.

The higher resolution on Panasonic’s screen translates into slightly sharper preview images.

Electronic Viewfinders (EVFs)

Both cameras share EVFs with identical 2,360k dot resolution and 100% coverage. Panasonic’s G95 offers 0.74x magnification versus Olympus’s 0.62x, resulting in a visually larger scene in the viewfinder, more comfortable during prolonged use.

Panasonic G95 (right) has a fully articulated higher-resolution screen versus the Olympus E-M10 IV’s simpler tilting screen (left), benefiting video creators and awkward angle shooters.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Micro Four Thirds Advantage

Both cameras use the ubiquitous Micro Four Thirds lens mount, offering access to over 100 native lenses from manufacturers including Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and Voigtländer. Given that both share this mount, lens options and compatibility are essentially equal.

Personally, I found Olympus lenses generally lighter and more compact, complementing the E-M10 IV’s portability. Panasonic’s system favors more pro-level primes and weather-sealed zoom lenses, matching the G95’s rugged build.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

The Olympus E-M10 IV delivers roughly 360 shots per charge, slightly better than Panasonic G95’s 290 shots - a definite comfort on long days without spare batteries.

Both accept single SD cards with UHS-II support, ensuring fast write speeds for continuous bursts and 4K video. For travels where charging opportunities are scarce, Olympus thus gains a practical advantage.

Connectivity and Features: Wireless, Ports, and Extras

Both include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, facilitating image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps - an invaluable feature for instant sharing on social media or tethered shooting.

The Panasonic G95 offers mic and headphone ports, enhancing its appeal for vloggers and filmmakers. Olympus lacks these audio ports but has microphone-compatible external flashes.

Video Capabilities: 4K Quality, Stabilization, and Frame Rates

Turning to video, this is where the two diverge meaningfully.

Resolution and Codec

Both support 4K UHD recording at 30p/25p/24p. The Panasonic G95 records at up to 100 Mbps in MP4 format, slightly higher bitrate than Olympus’s 102 Mbps MOV - practically equivalent in detail.

Panasonic includes 4K photo mode, enabling extraction of 8MP stills from slow-motion video, a handy feature missing on Olympus.

Stabilization and Audio

Both have sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization for smoother handheld footage. Panasonic’s advanced stabilization algorithms felt more effective during my run-and-gun tests.

Audio capabilities heavily favor the Panasonic with dedicated microphone and headphone jacks, allowing real-time audio monitoring and better sound control - a clear boon for video creators.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

I took a deep dive into key genres, integrating sample shoots (see below):

Olympus E M10 IV front Olympus E M10 IV screen back Panasonic G95 front Panasonic G95 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-M10 IV: Superior skin tone rendering, face and eye detection AF smoothness, and compact size ideal for casual portrait sessions.
• Panasonic G95: Sharper images with fine details but slightly less natural color; larger grip aids stability for portraits with longer lenses.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic G95 shines with wider dynamic range, weather sealing for outdoor shoots, and sharper image quality due to lack of anti-alias filter.
• Olympus performs well but is more vulnerable to harsh weather.

Wildlife Photography

The Panasonic’s faster burst rate and steadier AF tracking provide a modest edge.

Sports Photography

Neither excels outright due to contrast AF, but Panasonic’s 9 fps buff is preferred for action sequences.

Street Photography

Olympus’s petite size and silent electronic shutter (up to 16,000s) make it the better companion for discrete candid shooting.

Macro Photography

Panasonic offers focus stacking and post-focus features, enhancing macro precision missing on Olympus.

Night and Astro Photography

Panasonic’s cleaner high ISO performance paired with better dynamic range suits astro photographers better.

Video-Centric Use

Panasonic clearly dominates with audio jacks, 4K photo mode, and superior stabilization.

Travel Photography

Olympus’s lighter weight, longer battery life, and friendly interface suit casual travel photographers.

Professional Workflows

Both cameras produce RAW files compatible with all major editing software. Panasonic’s more comprehensive manual controls and ruggedness lean towards professional use as a backup or lightweight kit.

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

After extensive side-by-side testing, here’s a concise evaluation:

Price Consideration

At approximately $699, the Olympus E-M10 IV represents a compelling budget buy providing excellent beginner-to-enthusiast features. The Panasonic G95, pricing near $998, justifies its premium with weather sealing, enhanced video, and more extensive controls.

My Takeaways and Recommendations

Who Should Buy the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV?

• Enthusiasts stepping up from smartphones or compact cameras wanting a versatile, highly portable mirrorless.
• Portrait and street photographers valuing natural skin tones, ease of use, and quiet operation.
• Travelers prioritizing lightweight gear and longer battery endurance.
• Budget-conscious buyers who still want in-body stabilization and good 4K video.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic Lumix G95?

• Videographers requiring professional audio support and stabilized 4K footage.
• Landscape and nature photographers needing weather sealing and strong dynamic range.
• More advanced photographers seeking expanded manual controls and a robust grip.
• Macro shooters leveraging focus stacking and post-focus features.
• Wildlife and sports shooters who want a slight frame rate advantage and tougher body.

Final Thoughts: A Micro Four Thirds Duel Worth Your Attention

Both cameras are excellent in their respective niches and harness the strengths of the Micro Four Thirds format. My testing confirms that choosing between them boils down to your priorities:

• The Olympus E-M10 IV shines in portability, ease, and entry-level friendliness without skimping on serious imaging tools.
• The Panasonic G95 caters to users craving a meatier build, versatile outdoor ruggedness, and advanced video/audio functionality.

I encourage photographers to handle both models if possible, or rent before purchase, to sense which ergonomics and workflow resonate most with their shooting style.

Choosing the right camera involves not only technical specs but also personal touch and shooting scenarios. Whichever you pick, Micro Four Thirds continues to be a vibrant, well-supported system delivering outstanding versatility to both newcomers and seasoned pros alike.

I hope this detailed analysis helps you in your camera search. Feel free to ask if you want targeted advice for your genre or shooting situations! Happy shooting.

Note: I have no affiliations with Olympus or Panasonic; this review is based entirely on hands-on testing and real-world experience.