Clicky

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 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
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic GX1
(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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

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).

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

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.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic GX1

 E-M5 II GX1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015February 2012More recent by 37 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper 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 dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Portrait photography with Panasonic GX1
72
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Street photography with Panasonic GX1
82
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports touch focus
environment proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography factors
Panasonic GX1 Sports photography factors
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
not so great battery power (310 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
47
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography details
Panasonic GX1 Travel photography details
74
environment proof
supports touch focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (310 per charge)
65
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (300 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography information
Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography information
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proof
not so great battery power (310 shots)
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GX1 as a Vlogging camera
82
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
32
touchscreen
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external mic support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic GX1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIPanasonic 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