Clicky

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 front
Portability
83
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 122 x 71 x 44mm
  • Introduced April 2016
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GX85, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the GX85 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-M5 was manufactured 4 years prior to the GX85 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GX85 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the E-M5 scores vs the GX85 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Panasonic GX85

 E-M5 GX85 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX85 over the Olympus E-M5

 GX85 E-M5 
IntroducedApril 2016April 2012More recent by 47 months
Screen resolution1040k610kCrisper screen (+430k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GX85

 E-M5 GX85 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 has got 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) and the Panasonic GX85 has sizing of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GX85 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M5 compared to the GX85.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and GX85 is 81 and 83 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements only by reading specs. The visual here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M5 and GX85.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical MP and you can expect similar quality of pictures however you need to consider the age of the products into consideration. The older E-M5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GX85 as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GX85 as a Street photography camera
82
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features focus via touch
environment proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
83
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M5
Sports photography with Panasonic GX85
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of phase detect auto focus
63
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic GX85 Travel photography highlights
66
environment proofing
features focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (290 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GX85 as a Landscape photography camera
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
does not have Timelapse recording
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GX85 Vlogging advice
34
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
35
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX85 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Panasonic GX85
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-04-30 2016-04-05
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 35 49
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 610k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots 2,764k dots
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
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 200)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425g (0.94 lb) 426g (0.94 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 122 x 71 x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 71
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 12.6
DXO Low light score 826 662
Other
Battery life 360 photos 290 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail price $799 $800