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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Revealed May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2018
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic GH5S, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL1 (12MP) and the GH5S (10MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL1 was unveiled 8 years prior to the GH5S which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL1 grades vs the GH5S in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL1 GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-PL1

 GH5S E-PL1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2018May 2010More modern by 93 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1620k230kClearer display (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL1 GH5S 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL1 provides outer measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic GH5S has measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 versus Panasonic GH5S in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL1 against the GH5S.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL1 and GH5S is 86 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The pic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and GH5S.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-PL1 to deliver greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GH5S Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
62
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GH5S Street photography highlights
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
68
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
features touch focus
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Sports photography camera
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
features touch focus
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (290 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
63
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL1
Vlogging with Panasonic GH5S
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
68
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
offers face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-05-17 2018-01-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Truepic V Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 3680 x 2760
Maximum native ISO 3200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 225
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,620k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 660g (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 440 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Pricing at launch $288 $2,498