Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2
Portability
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
Portability
70 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56
70 Imaging
51 Features
65 Overall
56
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Key Specs
Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
- Announced April 2012
- Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
- Announced March 2011
- Superseded the Panasonic GH1
- Renewed by Panasonic GH3
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Overview
On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the GH2 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).
Photography GlossaryThe E-M5 was brought out 14 months later than the GH2 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-M5 scores vs the GH2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-M5 Gallery & Panasonic GH2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic GH2
| E-M5 | GH2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2012 |  | March 2011 | More recent by 14 months |
| Screen resolution | 610k |  | 460k | Clearer screen (+150k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Olympus E-M5
| GH2 | E-M5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Tilting | Fully Articulating screen |
| Selfie screen |  | Take selfies |
Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GH2
| E-M5 | GH2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very exact focusing | ||
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 has outside measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic GH2 has sizing of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M5 versus the GH2.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 and GH2 is 81 and 70 respectively.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is hard to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and GH2.
Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photographs however you should factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The more recent E-M5 will have an edge in sensor innovation.
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Screen and ViewFinder
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography factors
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsStreet Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Street photography details
Panasonic GH2 Street photography details
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus by touch
weather proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
Sports photography with Panasonic GH2
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
no phase detect AF
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (330 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesTravel Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Travel photography features
Panasonic GH2 Travel photography features
weather proofing
includes focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery (330 per charge)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoLandscape Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography highlights
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
doesn't have Timelapse recording
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (330 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M5 Vlogging info
Panasonic GH2 Vlogging info
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone port
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
provides face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic port
does not have image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH2 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Panasonic |
| Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 |
| Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2012-04-30 | 2011-03-23 |
| Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic VI | Venus Engine FHD |
| 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 | 16MP |
| 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 | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Max native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 160 |
| RAW support | ||
| Minimum boosted ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 35 | 23 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
| Crop factor | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fully Articulated |
| Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 610 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.58x | 0.71x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting speed | 9.0fps | 3.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 15.60 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
| 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 | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 425 gr (0.94 pounds) | 442 gr (0.97 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") | 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | 71 | 60 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.8 | 21.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.3 | 11.3 |
| DXO Low light rating | 826 | 655 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 360 shots | 330 shots |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BLN-1 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at launch | $799 | $1,000 |
