Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
81 Imaging
49 Features
57 Overall
52
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed April 2012
- Successor is Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
- Launched July 2009
- Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
Photography Glossary Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Overview
Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the E-M5 (16MP) and GH1 (12MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-M5 was revealed 2 years after the GH1 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-M5 matches up versus the GH1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Panasonic GH1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic GH1
| E-M5 | GH1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | April 2012 |  | July 2009 | More modern by 35 months |
| Screen resolution | 610k |  | 460k | Clearer screen (+150k dot) |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Olympus E-M5
| GH1 | E-M5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GH1
| E-M5 | GH1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | More accurate focus | ||
| Screen sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements |
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 features external dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH1 has dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-M5 against the GH1.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and GH1 is 81 and 81 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes purely by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and GH1.
Clearly, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Olympus E-M5 to give more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer E-M5 provides a benefit in sensor tech.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 |
| Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
| Revealed | 2012-04-30 | 2009-07-10 |
| Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic VI | Venus Engine HD |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | Four Thirds |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 18.89 x 14.48mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 273.5mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| 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 | 1600 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Lowest enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| 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 support | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 610k dot | 460k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Display technology | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1,440k dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 9.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| 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 | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 425g (0.94 pounds) | 385g (0.85 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") | 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 71 | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 21.6 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light rating | 826 | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 photographs | 320 photographs |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLN-1 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | $799 | $949 |