Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
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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
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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).
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The 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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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Gallery
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.
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Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and GH1 is 81 and 81 respectively.
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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.
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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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 |