Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1
80 Imaging
53 Features
84 Overall
65


87 Imaging
51 Features
54 Overall
52
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced February 2015
- Older Model is Olympus E-M5
- Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
- Announced February 2012
- Refreshed by Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Overview
Below is a complete analysis of the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic GX1, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the GX1 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

The E-M5 II was introduced 3 years later than the GX1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-M5 II matches up vs the GX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 II Gallery and Panasonic GX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic GX1
E-M5 II | GX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2015 | ![]() | February 2012 | More recent by 37 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+577k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Olympus E-M5 II
GX1 | E-M5 II |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic GX1
E-M5 II | GX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen dimensions |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 II enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Panasonic GX1 has sizing of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic GX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 II compared to the GX1.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and GX1 is 80 and 87 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 II and GX1.
Clearly, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of pictures but you should always consider the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher E-M5 II should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 II | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2015-02-06 | 2012-02-14 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | TruePic VII | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | MOS | 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 | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3448 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Minimum enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per second | 4.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 7.60 m |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 469 gr (1.03 pounds) | 318 gr (0.70 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") | 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 73 | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 20.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.4 | 10.6 |
DXO Low light rating | 896 | 703 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 pictures | 300 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $699 | $228 |