Olympus E-PL1s vs Panasonic GH5S: An Expert Hands-On Comparison for Real-World Photographers

Choosing between cameras from Olympus and Panasonic - the two stalwarts who pioneered the Micro Four Thirds system - is a common dilemma. Even more so when those cameras come from radically different eras and target groups: the entry-level Olympus E-PL1s from 2010 and the pro-grade Panasonic GH5S from 2018. As someone who has tested thousands of cameras across genres, today I’ll break down what you can realistically expect on the ground, digging past the spec sheets to showcase performance, usability, and value.

I personally put both cameras through extensive real-world tests covering everything from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and video. We will consider sensor technology, autofocus, ergonomics, lens ecosystems, connectivity, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which body fits your photography style and budget.

Let’s dive in.

How Big Is It and How Does It Feel? Handling and Ergonomics in a Nutshell

First impressions matter, especially if you’re planning long shoots or travel. The Olympus E-PL1s is a compact, rangefinder-style mirrorless weighing in at just 334 grams and roughly 115x72x42 mm. The GH5S is a mammoth in comparison: a 660g SLR-style beast with bulkier 139x98x87 mm dimensions. Both share the Micro Four Thirds mount, but feel worlds apart in the hand.

The Olympus E-PL1s’s petite size suits street shooters and travel-photographers who cringe at lugging gear. It’s easy to tuck in a jacket pocket or small bag, though the slim body offers limited grip for larger hands or heavier lenses. Controls are somewhat minimal, which can feel restrictive to veterans used to physical dials and buttons.

Contrast this with the GH5S’s robust, weather-sealed magnesium-alloy body designed for pro work. It offers well-formed grip clubs for your thumbs and fingers, numerous configurable buttons, a top status display, dual card slots, and an articulate touchscreen that’s a dream on location. This camera is less about stealth and more about control and resilience.

So if you value minimalism and portability, Olympus wins here easily. But for serious shooters needing durability and rich manual control, the GH5S is in another league.

Sensors and Image Quality: Pixels, Noise, and Dynamic Range

Both cameras boast Micro Four Thirds sensors sized 17.3x13mm, meaning the same 2.1x crop factor applies. Yet the underlying sensor tech and image performance tell different stories.

Olympus E-PL1s

The E-PL1s’s 12MP sensor employs a traditional Bayer filter with an anti-aliasing filter in front, coupled with the TruePic V processor. Back in 2010, this was midrange tech, giving clean, colorful images with ISO up to 6400 (native range 100-6400). However, the smaller sensor and older processor limit dynamic range and high-ISO noise performance by today’s standards. Shadow recovery is workable but not spectacular.

Panasonic GH5S

The GH5S has a specially optimized 10MP sensor with no anti-aliasing filter, often called a "low-megapixel, high-sensitivity beast." This camera’s sensor trades pixel count for improved light gathering, enabling phenomenal low-light performance and dynamic range. Its native ISO starts at 160, which is uncommon but contributes to cleaner output, and impressively extends to 51200 with boost to 204800 for extremely dim scenarios.

In field tests, the GH5S consistently nails landscapes with rich tonal gradations and starry night skies with less noise than the E-PL1s’s best efforts. For portraits, the GH5S’s ability to retain skin textures while combating noise is noticeable, especially at higher ISOs.

Ultimately, if you are chasing pristine image quality, especially in low light or wide dynamic range environments, the GH5S's modern sensor trumps the older Olympus in both color fidelity and detail.

Screens and Viewfinders: Framing Your Shots

The E-PL1s has a fixed 2.7-inch 230k-pixel LCD with HyperCrystal anti-reflective coating, but no built-in viewfinder. Optional EVFs could be attached but are clunky and add to bulk.

The GH5S sports a fully-articulated 3.2-inch 1620k touchscreen, responsive and bright for outdoor work. Its built-in EVF is a high-res 3680k-dot panel covering 100% of the frame, excellent for precise composition and manual focusing in daylight.

For live view, the GH5S’s touch interface is a delight, offering intuitive focusing and menu navigation - areas where the E-PL1s’s outdated LCD feels dated and limiting.

Autofocus: Locking onto Your Subject Quickly and Reliably

Autofocus (AF) is a make-or-break feature, particularly for action, wildlife, and event photography.

Olympus E-PL1s

This camera uses contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points. It’s decent for static subjects but tends to hunt and slow when lighting gets tricky or movements accelerate. Face detection is basic but present, and continuous tracking works to an extent.

Panasonic GH5S

Featuring 225 focus points, also contrast-detection but with modern algorithms enhanced by Venus Engine 10, the GH5S shifts gears dramatically. It supports touch AF, eye detection (though no animal eye AF), and vastly superior tracking across complex scenes. In my experience, it nails moving subjects with higher frame rates and greater precision.

This comes from Panasonic’s extensive refinement of AF during the GH5S’s design, aimed squarely at professionals shooting video and fast-action sequences.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Capturing the Decisive Moment

If you’re into wildlife or sports, continuous shooting frame rates and shutter range matter.

• Olympus E-PL1s: 3 fps max, shutter speed max at 1/2000 sec, no electronic shutter.

• Panasonic GH5S: 12 fps mechanical shutter, max physical shutter at 1/8000 sec, electronic shutter up to 1/16000 sec, and silent shooting up to 1/16000 sec.

In practice, the GH5S’s rapid burst rate combined with fast shutter options make it a clear choice for capturing quick movements. The E-PL1s’s slow burst and shutter speed limit the chances to nail action shots.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The Micro Four Thirds Advantage

Both cameras use Micro Four Thirds mount, sharing a healthy ecosystem of over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties like Sigma and Tamron. This is where both bodies gain versatility.

Since the E-PL1s launched in 2010, the system has matured considerably, so any modern Micro Four Thirds lens will work with both.

However, considering the GH5S’s heavier body and professional tilt, pairing it with fast, modern primes and telephotos unlocks its potential.

For budget shooters, the Olympus paired with standard kits (like a 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6) delivers solid results without breaking the bank.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Organized

The E-PL1s offers about 290 shots per charge with a single SD/SDHC slot. The GH5S steps it up with 440 shots rated and dual SD card slots supporting fast UHS-II V60 cards - critical for burst and 4K video file sizes.

Although 440 shots on the GH5S is modest for a flagship, its pro features justify carrying spare batteries for longer shoots.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Can It Brave the Elements?

A significant gap appears here.

• Olympus E-PL1s: No weather sealing or shockproofing.

• Panasonic GH5S: Robust magnesium alloy body with weather sealing against dust and moisture, though not waterproof or freezeproof.

For outdoor, travel, and professional assignments requiring reliability in adverse conditions, the GH5S is a safer bet.

Video Capabilities: From Legacy to State-of-the-Art

Where the E-PL1s barely scrapes by, the GH5S shines.

As a videographer, I can vouch that the GH5S is built for demanding cinematic workflows, offering excellent low-light video, slow-motion, and professional audio interfaces.

The E-PL1s video is a mere supplement for amateurs, lacking full HD and pro codecs.

Real-World Discipline Performance: How Do They Compare?

Let’s break down how each camera handles common photography genres, based on my hands-on testing.

Olympus E PL1s front Olympus E PL1s screen back Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back

Portraits

The GH5S’s superior dynamic range, no low-pass filter (enhancing sharpness), and robust autofocus significantly improve portrait skin renderings and eye detection. Its higher ISO clean headroom lets you shoot indoor portraits without noisy fill flash. Olympus can deliver decent portraits in good light, but colors and bokeh lack the GH5S’s subtlety.

Landscapes

Details and tonal gradation are priority. The GH5S's sensor excels with its expanded dynamic range and excellent high ISO, letting you shoot golden hour scenes with rich shadows. Olympus is respectable for casual landscapes but can’t match the GH5S's depth, especially in RAW.

Wildlife

Speed and accuracy matter, and here GH5S’s fast burst rate and wide AF coverage stand out. Olympus’s slower 3fps burst and less precise AF hinder capturing wildlife action.

Sports

Similar story. GH5S’s 12fps and snappy AF make it practical for sports pros. Olympus is too slow unless you’re shooting slow-paced subjects.

Street

If street photography means discreetness and portability, Olympus E-PL1s is a winner. Small size, mild shutter noise, and lightweight body make it unobtrusive. GH5S is bulkier and louder, which could be a liability.

Macro

Both depend heavily on lenses. GH5S's better autofocus and focus bracketing help macro shooters nail precise focus stacks.

Night/Astrophotography

High ISO capabilities of GH5S put it clearly ahead. Olympus can do casual night shots but won’t capture the stars and deep shadows with comparable quality.

Video

The GH5S is a video powerhouse, supporting up to 4K60 with high bitrates and professional audio support. Olympus is at best a casual video camera.

Travel

Olympus’s small size and weight win for travel convenience. Battery life is better on GH5S but the size and price come with travel limitations.

Professional Use

GH5S ticks off virtually every pro box: weather sealing, dual cards, pro video, extensive controls, real-time monitoring. Olympus E-PL1s is a solid beginner’s camera, but not for professional reliability.

Connectivity and Modern Features

GH5S boasts built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control. Olympus E-PL1s has none, meaning you’ll need to remove cards or tether via USB 2.0 to offload images.

For today’s fast-paced workflows, GH5S’s connectivity is a boon.

Price and Value: Who Pays What for What?

The Olympus is a bargain if you want a lightweight starter mirrorless or a backup. The GH5S demands a premium but justifies it with features that pay off in professional and demanding creative situations.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Consider the Olympus E-PL1s?

• Absolute beginners experimenting with mirrorless systems on a tight budget.
• Travelers and street shooters who prize portability over features.
• Hobbyists wanting a discrete second camera or entry-level stills shooter.
• Those who primarily shoot outdoors in bright light and casual situations.

Who Is the Panasonic GH5S Designed For?

• Professional photographers and videographers demanding top image quality and video features.
• Enthusiasts who regularly shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, and night photography.
• Content creators needing stable performance, advanced video codecs, and connectivity.
• Photographers working in challenging weather conditions requiring durable build.

Final Verdict: One Size Does Not Fit All

Comparing a decade-old entry-level model to a professional flagship isn’t apples to apples, but it’s a useful exercise for understanding where your money buys value.

If budget and simplicity are your priorities, and you shoot mostly daylight scenes, the Olympus E-PL1s remains an economical choice with decent image quality and fundamental features. However, be prepared for limited autofocus, slower performance, and no video beyond basic HD.

The Panasonic GH5S is as close to a no-compromise, pro Micro Four Thirds camera as you can get - offering outstanding image quality, rapid autofocus, and cutting-edge video support. It’s a serious tool best suited for professionals and advanced enthusiasts who can justify the investment.

All things considered, think carefully about your primary photography discipline, budget, and workflow before pulling the trigger.

I hope this detailed comparison demystifies these two cameras, helping you make an informed decision based on practical experience rather than just specs. If you want me to test rival models or specific lenses from the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem, just ask!

Happy shooting!