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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Released January 2018
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GH5S, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL2 (12MP) and the GH5S (10MP) is relatively similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL2 was launched 8 years prior to the GH5S which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-PL2 scores vs the GH5S with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL2 GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-PL2

 GH5S E-PL2 
ReleasedJanuary 2018February 2011More modern by 84 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k460kClearer screen (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL2 GH5S 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL2 offers outer dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic GH5S has proportions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GH5S in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL2 vs the GH5S.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL2 and GH5S is 85 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by going over specifications. The image here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL2 and GH5S.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Olympus E-PL2 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged E-PL2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GH5S Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
62
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Street photography info
Panasonic GH5S Street photography info
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
68
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography information
Panasonic GH5S Sports photography information
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (280 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (280 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
61
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL2
Landscape photography with Panasonic GH5S
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (280 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
63
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
68
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic socket
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-11 2018-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 3680 x 2760
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
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
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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
Highest video resolution 1280x720 4096x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 362 grams (0.80 pounds) 660 grams (1.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 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 Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 photos 440 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Card slots One 2
Launch cost $0 $2,498