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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
Portability
72
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Replaced the Panasonic G1
  • Updated by Panasonic G3
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and G2 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

Photography Glossary

The E-M5 was brought out 22 months after the G2 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-M5 scores against the G2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic G2

 E-M5 G2 
ReleasedApril 2012July 2010Newer by 22 months
Screen resolution610k460kCrisper screen (+150k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Olympus E-M5

 G2 E-M5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic G2

 E-M5 G2 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 features outer measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic G2 has specifications of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 and the G2.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and G2 is 81 and 72 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The pic below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 and G2.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Olympus E-M5 to offer you greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-M5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic G2 Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography information
Panasonic G2 Street photography information
82
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
65
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus by touch
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (428 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic G2 as a Sports photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
no phase detect AF
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography information
Panasonic G2 Travel photography information
66
environment proofing
includes touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
58
provides focus by touch
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (428g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic G2 Landscape photography advice
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
missing Time Lapse function
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M5
Vlogging with Panasonic G2
34
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
61
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
does have mic socket
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than average in class (428g)
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic G2
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-04-30 2010-07-12
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS 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 12MP
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 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 35 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 610k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.55x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 11.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 425 grams (0.94 pounds) 428 grams (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 71 53
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 10.3
DXO Low light rating 826 493
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 360 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $799 $1,000