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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(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
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH4
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GH3, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the GH3 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 was introduced 4 months prior to the GH3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-M5 scores versus the GH3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic GH3

 E-M5 GH3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Olympus E-M5

 GH3 E-M5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k610kClearer screen (+4k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GH3

 E-M5 GH3 
AnnouncedApril 2012September 2012Similar generation
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 features exterior 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) while the Panasonic GH3 has dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") and a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GH3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-M5 compared to the GH3.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M5 and GH3 is 81 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at specifications. The picture here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and GH3.

To sum up, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of photographs but you really should consider the release date of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography information
71
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography advice
Panasonic GH3 Street photography advice
82
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
65
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
Sports photography with Panasonic GH3
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
has no phase detect auto focus
63
high frames per second (20.0 fps)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery (540 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Panasonic GH3
66
environment sealing
supports focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
good battery (540 CIPA)
weather proof
boasts focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors (550 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GH3 Landscape photography highlights
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
does not have Timelapse recording
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
weather proof
good battery (540 shots)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging information
Panasonic GH3 Vlogging information
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
65
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
has face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone support
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (550g)
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Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GH3
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-04-30 2012-09-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 610k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor OLED Monitor with static touch control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots 1,744k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.67x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 9.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425 grams (0.94 lbs) 550 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 71 71
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 12.4
DXO Low light score 826 812
Other
Battery life 360 photos 540 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $799 $799