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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8

Portability
80
Imaging
61
Features
88
Overall
71
Olympus OM-D E-M5 III front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
Portability
74
Imaging
58
Features
84
Overall
68

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 414g - 125 x 85 x 50mm
  • Announced October 2019
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5 II
  • Newer Model is OM System OM-5
Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Revealed July 2015
  • Superseded the Panasonic GX7
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic GX8, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 III (20MP) and the GX8 (20MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 III was brought out 4 years after the GX8 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GX8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-M5 III grades against the GX8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 III over the Panasonic GX8

 E-M5 III GX8 
RevealedOctober 2019July 2015Newer by 52 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Olympus E-M5 III

 GX8 E-M5 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic GX8

 E-M5 III GX8 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution1040k1040kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 III enjoys physical dimensions of 125mm x 85mm x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 414 grams (0.91 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GX8 has measurements of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") with a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M5 III versus Panasonic GX8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 III versus the GX8.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 III and GX8 is 80 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M5 III and GX8.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP and you can expect similar quality of photos however you should always consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern E-M5 III is going to have an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Portrait photography with Panasonic GX8
76
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Street photography features
Panasonic GX8 Street photography features
83
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
80
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5 III
Sports photography with Panasonic GX8
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
not so great battery (330 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GX8 as a Travel photography camera
77
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
73
weather proofing
supports touch to focus
good megapixels (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (330 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 III Landscape photography features
Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography features
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
not so great battery (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5 III
Vlogging with Panasonic GX8
84
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone port
81
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with mic port
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Olympus E-M5 III vs Panasonic GX8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 III and Panasonic GX8
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIIPanasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2019-10-17 2015-07-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 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
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 49
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.77x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 30.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 414g (0.91 lb) 487g (1.07 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 85 x 50mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.0") 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 75
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 806
Other
Battery life 310 photos 330 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,199 $898