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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5
  • New Model is Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH4
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH5 II
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the GH5 (20MP) is fairly close and they feature the exact same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 II was manufactured 23 months prior to the GH5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-M5 II matches up vs the GH5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic GH5

 E-M5 II GH5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 GH5 E-M5 II 
IntroducedJanuary 2017February 2015Newer by 23 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k1037kCrisper display (+583k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic GH5

 E-M5 II GH5 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 II comes with outside measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") with a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Panasonic GH5 has sizing of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 II versus the GH5.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 II and GH5 is 80 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching specs. The image here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 II and GH5.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic GH5 to result in more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-M5 II will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
76
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography highlights
Panasonic GH5 Street photography highlights
82
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
74
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
weather sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Sports photography with Panasonic GH5
65
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
68
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Travel photography camera
74
weather proof
includes touch to focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (310 per charge)
68
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography advice
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery pack (310 shots)
75
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging details
Panasonic GH5 Vlogging details
82
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
75
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic jack
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic GH5
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
Type Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2015-02-06 2017-01-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type MOS 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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 81 225
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,620 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 3,680 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.76x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 469 gr (1.03 pounds) 725 gr (1.60 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 77
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 13.0
DXO Low light rating 896 807
Other
Battery life 310 photos 410 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots Single Dual
Pricing at launch $699 $1,298