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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
80
Imaging
62
Features
88
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Newer Model is OM System OM-5
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF3
  • Successor is Panasonic GF6
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic GF5, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 III (20MP) and GF5 (12MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 III was unveiled 7 years later than the GF5 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-M5 III grades against the GF5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic GF5

 E-M5 III GF5 
IntroducedOctober 2019April 2012Fresher by 92 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 GF5 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic GF5

 E-M5 III GF5 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 III enjoys physical measurements of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) while the Panasonic GF5 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic GF5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 III and the GF5.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 III and GF5 is 80 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing simply by viewing technical specs. The visual here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 III and GF5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Olympus E-M5 III to result in greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The fresher E-M5 III provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
55
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography information
Panasonic GF5 Street photography information
83
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Sports photography camera
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Travel photography camera
77
weather sealing
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (310 per charge)
61
includes touch to focus
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography details
Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography details
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
not so great battery life (310 per charge)
59
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Vlogging info
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging info
84
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
32
touchscreen capability
features face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing external microphone port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic GF5
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2019-10-17 2012-04-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 30.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414 grams (0.91 lb) 267 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life 310 shots 360 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $1,199 $600