Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When it comes to Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, choices span a wide spectrum - from approachable, entry-level models to professional-grade tools designed to push creative boundaries. Today, I’m diving into two dramatically different cameras sharing the same sensor size but aimed at different users and photographic ambitions: the Olympus PEN E-PL2 and the Panasonic Lumix GH5S. This comparison is not just a specs face-off; it’s a detailed, hands-on evaluation tailored for photographers who demand practical knowledge alongside the technical. So grab a seat - this is going to be a thorough exploration with plenty of insights drawn from years of testing cameras in the field.

First Impressions: Body Design and Ergonomics

At a glance, the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GH5S tell two very different stories about their intended users.

The Olympus E-PL2 is a classic entry-level mirrorless with a compact, rangefinder-style body. Its modest dimensions (114 x 72 x 42 mm) and light weight (362g) reflect a camera designed for portability and casual use. The fixed 3-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen (460k dots) serves well for simple composing and reviewing shots but isn’t touch-sensitive nor articulated. The control layout is straightforward, with no top LCD panel or built-in viewfinder, although an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

The Panasonic GH5S is a heavyweight by comparison - both figuratively and literally. With an SLR-style body measuring 139 x 98 x 87 mm and weighing 660g, it has the presence and build quality you’d expect of a pro mirrorless system. The fully articulating, 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD boasts high resolution (1.62 million dots), providing excellent composition flexibility and visibility. Additionally, the GH5S features a built-in electronic viewfinder (3.68 million dots, 100% coverage) with a decent magnification of 0.76x, giving a more immersive framing experience.

The control scheme favors advanced handling on the GH5S, with dedicated dials and customizable buttons commanding shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and more. The E-PL2, while featuring exposure compensation and manual exposure modes, is simpler and geared more toward casual shooters or beginners easing into manual control.

In terms of ergonomics, the GH5S answers the call of professional photographers who need firm grip, quick access to settings, and robust build quality. The E-PL2 plays the role of a portable, everyday camera that blends easily into street or travel scenarios without demanding too much engagement.

Sensor and Image Quality: A Battle of Generations on MFT Grounds

Both cameras embrace the Micro Four Thirds sensor format - a 17.3 x 13 mm sensor with a 2.1x crop factor, balancing sensor size with compact lenses and bodies. Yet, the sensors and imaging pipelines diverge significantly in performance philosophy.

The Olympus E-PL2 sports a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter. While this sensor was respectable in 2011 and produces images with good color depth (21.4 bits) and dynamic range (10.2 EV), its maximum native ISO tops out at 6400. DxOMark tests rate its low-light ISO score at 573, indicating respectable but modest high-ISO capability. Processing via the TruePic V engine, the E-PL2’s images show natural colors and fine details when used in good light but struggle to tame noise under dim conditions.

In contrast, the Panasonic GH5S, launched in 2018, features a specialized 10.2-megapixel CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter, optimized for low light and video performance. Thanks to larger pixels, it excels in noise control at higher ISOs. The native ISO range spans 160–51200 with boosted sensitivity up to 204,800 ISO - a boon for astrophotography and ultra-low-light work. The Venus Engine 10 processor enables 4K video at 60p with advanced color reproduction, and images benefit from excellent dynamic range.

While the E-PL2 holds up well in daylight and reasonably lit conditions, the GH5S takes the crown for image quality under challenging conditions - particularly for video shooters or photographers needing high sensitivity and highlight/shadow retention.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed Tested

Autofocus is a pivotal criterion for many photographers, especially in fast-moving genres like wildlife or sports. The two systems differ dramatically here.

The E-PL2 uses contrast-detection autofocus, featuring 11 focus points with multi-area, selective, tracking, and face detection modes. There is no phase-detection autofocus, resulting in a generally slower and less confident focus acquisition. Continuous AF and tracking are present but can falter under rapid subject movement or low light. Eye detection autofocus is supported but fairly rudimentary compared to modern standards. For static subjects, the system performs adequately.

Panasonic’s GH5S, on the other hand, employs a dense contrast-detection AF system with 225 selectable focus points paired with advanced algorithms. It boasts fast continuous autofocus at up to 12 frames per second shooting (mechanical shutter). Face detection and eye autofocus are significantly more refined and responsive, though animal eye AF is absent. Focus bracketing, stacking, and post-focus options augment creative focus control. The autofocus excels in dynamic settings such as wildlife and sports photography, offering reliable subject tracking.

The practical takeaway here: The E-PL2 autofocus system is suitable for static subjects, portraits, and casual photography, but the GH5S stands tall when speed and tracking matter.

Shooting Performance and Continuous Shooting Speeds

The Olympus E-PL2 offers a max continuous shooting rate of 3 frames per second. This modest speed fits well with everyday snapshots or low-intensity shooting but quickly limits burst capture for fast action moments.

By contrast, the Panasonic GH5S cranks out 12 fps with autofocus, a massive leap enabling sports, wildlife, or dynamic street photography to thrive. The camera’s dual SD card slots support UHS-II cards, essential for managing large bursts and 4K video footage efficiently.

While the E-PL2 may feel slow and restricted for action shooters, the GH5S confidently covers this ground with speed, buffer depth, and reliability.

Video Capabilities Compared: From Basic HD to Pro 4K

While both cameras offer video functionality, they couldn’t be more different in ambition and execution.

The Olympus E-PL2 provides HD video at 1280x720@30fps and VGA at 640x480, encoded in Motion JPEG format. There is no external microphone jack and no 4K options. Video quality is serviceable for casual clips but pale against today’s standards. Image stabilization in video is sensor-based, but performance is limited by the basic processing engine.

Flip to the Panasonic GH5S, and the video story amps to professional level. It shoots 4K DCI (4096x2160) and UHD (3840x2160) at up to 60p with a high bitrate of 150 Mbps, supporting H.264 and H.265 codecs for varied post-production workflows. The GH5S supports high frame-rate Full HD capture, in-camera 4K photo modes allowing extraction of 4K frames from video, and has microphone and headphone jacks for serious audio monitoring. Unfortunately, it lacks in-body image stabilization, but the excellent video quality and codec options cement its appeal for hybrid shooters and videographers.

Bottom line: If video is a priority, the GH5S is a clear winner; the E-PL2 best serves snapshot video needs in well-lit conditions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Field Durability

The Olympus E-PL2 comes without any environment sealing or ruggedization. It is not weatherproof, dustproof, shockproof, or freezeproof. Its plastic-heavy construction aligns with the entry-level market.

The Panasonic GH5S offers robust weather sealing, dust and splash resistance, and a magnesium alloy body designed to withstand professional field demands. While not waterproof or freezeproof, the GH5S provides reliable protection for outdoor photographers shooting in unpredictable conditions.

If you’re the kind of photographer who ventures outdoors in inclement weather or extreme environments, the GH5S confidence inspires; the E-PL2 requires more care and caution.

LCD Screen and Viewfinder Quality: Composition and Playback

The Olympus E-PL2’s 3-inch fixed LCD with 460k dots is serviceable for framing and reviewing images in most lighting but can struggle in bright sun due to limited brightness and lack of articulation.

The Panasonic GH5S sports a 3.2-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD with a crisp 1.62 million dots, excellent for awkward angles, video monitoring, and touch focus/shutter control. The high-res EVF with 3.68 million dots complements the screen, providing a bright, detailed viewfinder experience with true 100% frame coverage and a comfortable magnification.

For intensive shooting or video enactments requiring monitoring and framing flexibility, the GH5S pulls decisively ahead.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Sharing the Micro Four Thirds Platform

Both cameras utilize the Micro Four Thirds lens mount with a flange focal distance allowing compatibility across a vast and mature lens lineup, totaling over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, and third-party manufacturers.

This shared ecosystem is a strong advantage - whether you aim for prime lenses with exquisite bokeh or versatile zooms, both cameras support fantastic optics catering to all styles and budgets.

Lens selection is not a constraint - your choice here primarily depends on a camera’s sensor and feature priorities.

Battery Life and Storage Solutions

Battery life on the Olympus E-PL2 is rated for about 280 shots per charge, which, by today's standards, is modest but adequate for casual shooting sessions.

The Panasonic GH5S improves significantly with roughly 440 shots per battery charge, aided by a higher-capacity DMW-BLF19 battery and efficient power management - important for long shoots or video recording.

Additionally, the E-PL2 uses a single SD / SDHC card slot, while the GH5S comes with two SD card slots supporting UHS-II V60 cards for faster write speeds, backup, and overflow.

For professionals or travel photographers who can’t afford interruptions, the GH5S’s battery and storage advantages matter greatly.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

A practical difference: the E-PL2 lacks wireless connectivity options such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Tethering and image sharing require physical cables or card readers.

Conversely, the GH5S includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control, live view monitoring via smartphone apps, and fast file transfers. USB 3.1 on the GH5S supports high-speed data transfers, whereas the E-PL2’s USB 2.0 is considerably slower.

Connectivity capabilities increasingly impact workflow, especially for field professionals and content creators.

Real-World Usage Across Photography Disciplines

To ground this comparison, I want to share how each camera performs in core photography genres:

Portraits

The E-PL2 offers face detection autofocus and pleasing bokeh thanks to the MFT format lenses, although the 12MP resolution is modest by today's standards. Skin tones render naturally, but noise can intrude at ISOs beyond 1600.

The GH5S, despite a lower megapixel count (10MP), produces images with excellent tonal gradation and skin rendition. Its more sophisticated AF with eye detection tracks subjects reliably, and better low light performance allows indoor or evening portraits without flash.

Landscapes

The E-PL2 delivers sharp images with good dynamic range for its era, but the slightly older sensor limits shadow and highlight recovery compared to more modern designs. The lack of weather sealing restricts outdoor work in harsh conditions.

The GH5S shines with wide dynamic range, excellent detail, and robust build quality. Weather sealing lets you shoot landscapes in moist or dusty environments without worry.

Wildlife and Sports

The Olympus E-PL2’s AF speed and 3 fps burst rate hamper capture of fast-moving wildlife or sports action.

The GH5S’s 225 AF points, 12 fps shooting, and large buffer make it apt for wildlife and sports photography, even though the smaller sensor means reaching out farther with tele lenses is necessary.

Street Photography

The E-PL2 scores here in portability, quiet operation, and a discreet profile.

The GH5S is bulkier and more conspicuous but offers faster focus and superior image quality which pros might prefer despite the size.

Macro, Night, and Astro

The E-PL2 lacks focus stacking or bracketing and has limited high ISO capability that challenges night or astro work.

The GH5S features focus bracketing, post-focus, and stellar high ISO performance up to 204,800 (boosted) - ideal for astrophotography and low-light macro.

Video

For casual video, the E-PL2 suffices with simple 720p clips.

Professionals will find the GH5S’s 4K 60p, advanced codecs, mic and headphone jacks, and 4K photo modes a professional’s dream.

Travel and Professional Use

The E-PL2’s compactness and ease of use make it a lightweight travel companion, but it requires frequent charging and cautious handling.

The GH5S’s robust build, dual cards, and all-around versatility pair well with professional workflows demanding reliability and quality.

Olympus E PL2 front Olympus E PL2 screen back Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back

Summary Ratings and Value Analysis

Based on our testing and analysis, the Olympus E-PL2 scores respectably for entry-level entry and casual use but is outgunned by the professional-grade GH5S across nearly every advanced metric.

The E-PL2’s price point (now significantly reduced as a historic model) offers enthusiasts a gentle introduction to mirrorless photography without overwhelming features.

The GH5S commands a premium ($2497.99 at release), justified by its expert-level video, advanced autofocus, build quality, and imaging capabilities. It is suited to hybrid shooters, videographers, and professionals who need a capable, versatile MFT camera that excels in multiple disciplines.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

If you want a lightweight, easy-to-use camera for travel, street photography, or casual portraiture without breaking the bank or wrestling complicated menus, the Olympus E-PL2 remains a charming choice - especially if you can find it at a bargain price.

However, if you require industry-level video, exceptional low-light performance, robust autofocus for action, and a durable body that endures tough conditions, the Panasonic GH5S is a powerhouse worth the investment.

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds system’s strengths - a rich lens ecosystem and manageable size. Your choice boils down to whether you prioritize simplicity and affordability or professional features and performance.

In this comparison, I applied rigorous evaluation methods, from pixel-level image inspection, lab benchmark reference (DxOMark where available), field testing across genres, and usability trials. Such methodical scrutiny ensures you get a comprehensive picture beyond marketing slogans and spec sheets.

Stay curious, test what matters for your photography, and choose the tool that lets your creativity soar. For me, the GH5S is a pro’s all-rounder; the E-PL2 a capable, unassuming companion - both beloved in their own right.

Happy shooting!