Clicky

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced September 2012
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2018
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Olympus E-PL5 versus Panasonic GH5S, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL5 (16MP) and GH5S (10MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-PL5 was launched 6 years earlier than the GH5S which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL5 matches up vs the GH5S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL5 GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-PL5

 GH5S E-PL5 
IntroducedJanuary 2018September 2012More modern by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kCrisper display (+1160k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL5 GH5S 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL5 enjoys physical dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Panasonic GH5S has proportions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL5 versus Panasonic GH5S in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL5 compared to the GH5S.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL5 and GH5S is 88 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The pic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL5 and GH5S.

As you can plainly see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus E-PL5 to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged E-PL5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GH5S Portrait photography factors
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
62
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Street photography info
Panasonic GH5S Street photography info
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
68
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography details
Panasonic GH5S Sports photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect AF
56
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL5
Travel photography with Panasonic GH5S
75
boasts focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
61
environment proofing
has bluetooth
provides focus by touch
display is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography advice
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse function
63
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL5 Vlogging details
Panasonic GH5S Vlogging details
78
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of external mic support
68
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
features face detection focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
no image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Olympus E-PL5 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL5 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus PEN E-PL5Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL5 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-09-17 2018-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3680 x 2760
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 200 160
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,620 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
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 8.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 325 grams (0.72 pounds) 660 grams (1.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 72 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 889 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 images 440 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Card slots One Dual
Launch pricing $400 $2,498