Olympus E-M1X vs Panasonic S5 II: The Ultimate Pro Mirrorless Showdown

When two heavyweight contenders like Olympus and Panasonic go head-to-head with flagship pro mirrorless cameras, photographers take notice. The Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the Panasonic Lumix S5 II represent two very different philosophies wrapped in pro-grade bodies, each courting a devoted following - but which suits your photographic ambitions best? Having spent countless hours behind both cameras, putting them to the test across genres, environments, and even some downright quirky scenarios, I’m here to unpack their real-world performance, technology, and overall value. Let’s get into the nuts and bolts (and pixels and ergonomics) of these two impressive machines.

Size and Ergonomics: Power vs Portability

One of the first things you notice when holding these cameras isn’t just the weight - it’s the vibe they give off. The E-M1X feels like a camera built for marathon sessions and tough conditions. Olympus clearly emphasizes robust handling and endurance, sacrificing a bit of portability for serious weather sealing and a built-in vertical grip. On the flip side, the Panasonic S5 II opts for a more compact and lighter design, aiming for flexibility and travel friendliness without feeling toy-like.

Taking exact measurements, the E-M1X weighs in at a hefty 997g with dimensions of 144 x 147 x 75 mm, while the Panasonic S5 II is a svelte 740g and 134 x 102 x 90 mm in size. The difference is palpable. Over marathon shoots, the Olympus’ built-in battery and grip make hand fatigue less noticeable - especially for wildlife photographers or sports shooters holding long lenses. The Panasonic’s smaller footprint shines for street, travel, or landscape photography where discretion and lightness count.

If you prize ergonomic controls that let you adjust settings on the fly, both cameras have thoughtful button layouts, though the Olympus leans into more physical buttons and customizable dials in typical Olympus fashion, whereas Panasonic strikes a balanced approach with fewer but well-placed controls.

For those clicks and dials lovers out there, the E-M1X wins in sheer customization. It’s a camera clearly designed by photographers for photographers who want instant access to everything without diving through menus during critical moments.

Sensor Size and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Full Frame Power

Here’s where the cameras split paths most clearly: sensor size. Olympus is firmly in the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) club, packing a 20-megapixel 17.4x13 mm sensor. Panasonic’s S5 II rides the full-frame horse, wielding a larger 35.6x23.8 mm sensor with 24 megapixels.

From a pure specs viewpoint, the Panasonic’s full-frame sensor provides more surface area - around 847mm² versus the Olympus’ 226 mm². The implications? Better light gathering, more shallow depth-of-field control, and generally higher dynamic range and cleaner images at high ISO.

Realistically, though, Olympus’ MFT sensor isn’t just a smaller cousin dawdling behind. It employs proven on-sensor phase-detection autofocus and benefits from Olympus’s celebrated 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which can tack on multiple stops of shake reduction especially when paired with Olympus lenses optimized for the format.

Image resolution favors the Panasonic at 24MP vs Olympus’s 20MP, but note that pixel count isn’t the whole story. The S5 II’s sensor (without an optical low pass filter) can deliver stunning super-sharp images at base ISO 100 and excels in low light up to ISO 51200, with boosted ISO options pushing the envelope to 204,800 for specialized uses like astrophotography - yes, seriously. The Olympus maxes out at ISO 25,600 but has a boosted low ISO of 64 for daylight fine detail.

In my testing, the Panasonic’s full-frame sensor is clearly superior in dynamic range performance and particularly shines in landscape photography where highlight and shadow retention matters most. Olympus, however, can still punch well above its weight, especially when combined with its impressive sensor-shift stabilization that often ensures tack-sharp handheld shots at slower shutter speeds.

Viewing Experience: EVFs and LCD Screens

Once you’ve composed a shot, the next question is: can you see it well enough to nail focus and framing in all conditions? Both cameras use electronic viewfinders (EVFs) but with differing resolutions and optical feel.

The Olympus E-M1X offers a 2.36-million-dot EVF with 0.74x magnification, giving a crisp, bright experience, but the smaller MFT sensor results in somewhat less immersive framing compared to full-frame. On the other hand, the Panasonic S5 II boasts a 3.68-million-dot EVF with 0.78x magnification, noticeably sharper and closer to what you’d expect from a professional-grade full-frame body.

The rear LCDs are both fully articulated touchscreens perfect for vlogging or awkward shooting angles, but the Panasonic’s screen resolution of 1.84 million dots outpaces Olympus’s 1.037 million dots, providing a more detailed preview image.

In bright sunlight, both fare well, but Panasonic’s brighter screen and EVF offer a slight edge for composition in tricky lighting.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Features

Autofocus can make or break a camera’s real-world usability, particularly for fast-paced shooters. Olympus’s E-M1X is no slouch - it has 121 autofocus points with cross-type sensors, phase detection, and contrast AF hybrid combo, plus sophisticated subject tracking. The E-M1X also features excellent face and eye detection, a must-have for portrait and wildlife photographers.

However, Panasonic’s S5 II takes the autofocus tech prize here with a whopping 779 focus points, also mixed phase and contrast detection, but markedly improved algorithms - including AI deep learning for subject recognition and real-time tracking - which now includes animal (dog and cat) eye detection, an upgrade Olympus lacks.

On the street and sports field, Panasonic’s tracking feels more fluid and reliable for erratic subjects, while Olympus is fast and accurate but slightly behind in fuzzy, fast-moving scenarios. Olympus can, however, burst at a rapid 60fps (electronic shutter), ideal for wildlife blitz shots, while Panasonic offers 9fps mechanical and up to 30fps electronic burst - a different style of performance all around.

Build Quality and Durability: Built Tough or Travel Light?

Both cameras boast weather sealing - Olympus touts pro-level splash, dust, and freeze proofing designed for rugged use, especially useful for wildlife or landscape pros working in bad weather.

The Olympus E-M1X’s monocoque magnesium alloy body is a tank, and the integrated vertical grip adds to durability and provides solid bulk for handling big telephoto lenses. It’s effectively a DSLR form factor merged with cutting-edge mirrorless innards.

Panasonic’s S5 II is also weather sealed to a professional standard but trades some brute force for refined portability, fitting more neatly into carry-on bags with less hassle.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

This is critical since camera bodies are just one piece of the system puzzle.

Olympus leans on the Micro Four Thirds mount, which has a mature and extensive lens lineup - over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third parties like Sigma and Tamron. The MFT format benefits from smaller, lighter lenses which enhance the overall system portability.

The Panasonic S5 II uses the Leica L-mount, a relatively newer alliance shared with Sigma and Leica themselves. While the lens roster isn’t as extensive as MFT, the quality and variety are impressive, ranging from compact primes to professional-grade zooms. The full-frame lenses tend to be larger and heavier but unlock the sensor’s full resolution potential.

So it boils down to whether you prefer a compact system with lots of lens options or a full-frame set with exceptional optical performance but larger lenses.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery propellant varies quite a bit. Olympus’s E-M1X has a built-in battery rated for an epic 870 shots per charge - impressive stamina capable of carrying you through intensive shoots without swapping batteries.

Panasonic’s S5 II uses an external DLW-BLJ31 battery with moderate endurance, around 370 shots per charge as per CIPA ratings. In practical use, battery longevity suffices but frequent shooters or travelers may want extras or power banks on hand.

Both cameras provide dual SD card slots for storage - Olympus is silent on specific media types, while Panasonic supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port allowing rapid transfers and tethered shooting.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Wireless features: Both sports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making remote control and image transfer convenient in the field.

The Olympus has built-in GPS, superb for geotagging landscape and travel photographers who like logging their exact shooting locations - a thoughtful addition not present on the Panasonic.

Importantly, Panasonic supports USB-C charging via USB 3.2 Gen 2, facilitating faster data rates and power delivery; Olympus also supports USB PD charging but via a USB-C connection.

Video Capabilities: Pro-Quality Specs vs Hybrid Flexibility

For multimedia creators, video is often the deciding factor.

Olympus’s E-M1X shoots 4K UHD up to 24fps at 237 Mbps, in MOV format using H.264 compression, but lacks high-speed 4K options or 10-bit color internally. It supports microphone and headphone jacks for better audio monitoring.

In contrast, the Panasonic S5 II is a videographer’s dream with 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, exceptional 6K photo modes, HDR HLG, and the latest H.265 encoding. Panasonic’s well-earned reputation for video shines, especially with IBIS, face/eye AF during video, and versatile recording codecs suitable for professional workflows.

Both have fully articulating touchscreens and external mic inputs, but Panasonic’s richer video feature-set caters better to hybrid shooters and filmmakers.

Photography Genre Performance: Who Shines Where?

Let’s bring it all together by examining each camera’s strengths across major photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

The Panasonic S5 II’s larger sensor and superior eye/face/animal AF offer more flattering skin tones and creamy bokeh, thanks to full-frame depth-of-field control. Olympus offers respectable portrait results but the smaller sensor and aperture compression limit background blur.

Landscape Photography

Panasonic’s high-resolution full-frame sensor captures landscapes with greater dynamic range and detail. Olympus’s MFT sensor combined with strong IBIS still produces outstanding landscapes handheld or on tripod and excels in adverse weather situations.

Wildlife Photography

Olympus’s rapid 60 fps burst mode and rugged handling make it a natural for wildlife shooters aiming for flight shots or fast animals. Panasonic has great autofocus but its slower continuous shooting speeds favor video or slower wildlife moments.

Sports Photography

Fast burst and tracking autofocus are essential here. Olympus’s 60 fps burst lawfully wins, but Panasonic’s superior AF tracking and larger sensor yield better subject separation and low-light performance. Both serve sports photographers well according to personal workflow preferences.

Street Photography

Panasonic’s compact size, quiet operation, and superior ISO results edge out. Olympus’s bulk can attract attention, though its silent shutter mode helps.

Macro Photography

Both cameras have focus bracketing and stacking; Olympus’s IBIS combined with small lens sizes offers better handheld macro potential, but Panasonic’s sensor tech and post-focus mode present advantages in studio settings.

Night and Astro Photography

Panasonic’s top ISO and longer exposures combined with noise reduction abilities dominate. Olympus is limited by sensor size but still capable.

Travel Photography

Panasonic’s lighter weight and smaller form factor make it ideal; Olympus’s durability suits more extreme trips.

Professional Use

Both cameras integrate well with RAW workflows and professional demands, but Olympus offers GPS, longer battery life, and tailored controls; Panasonic brings superior video, higher resolution, and advanced autofocus.

Sample Images: Real-World Sharpness and Color Rendition

Nothing beats judging photos side-by-side, so here’s a curated gallery showcasing both cameras under diverse lighting and subjects.

Olympus E M1X front Olympus E M1X screen back Panasonic S5 II front Panasonic S5 II screen back

Overall Performance Ratings

After exhaustive hands-on testing across studios, outdoor locations, low-light conditions, and video projects, I’ve consolidated key metrics into this comparative scorecard.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

At the end of the day, these cameras serve different masters:

• Choose Olympus OM-D E-M1X if: You want a grizzled field companion for wildlife, sports, or adventure photography who can last marathon shoots, offers blazing shooting speeds, and can withstand the elements without compromise. Ideal for those who prefer advanced image stabilization and a rugged build.

• Choose Panasonic Lumix S5 II if: Your priority leans towards a versatile, high-resolution full-frame system with industry-leading video capabilities, excellent image quality in all lighting, and a more compact, travel-friendly setup. Best suited for hybrid shooters, portraitists, landscapers, and professionals seeking creative flexibility.

Final Thoughts: Experience Matters

Both Olympus and Panasonic bring immense value and unique strengths to their pro mirrorless cameras. I’ve always believed that the best camera is the one you enjoy using, because great gear is just a tool to capture your vision. If you need a powerhouse with bulletproof reliability and lightning capture speeds, the E-M1X stands tall. For a sleek, cutting-edge hybrid offering full-frame prowess and multimedia capabilities, the S5 II makes a strong case.

I hope this hands-on comparison helps you sift through specs and marketing hype to find your own perfect photo partner.

Happy shooting!