Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6: A Hands-On Comparison for the Practical Photographer

When diving into the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) ecosystem, budget-friendly, entry-level mirrorless cameras abound, each promising a certain blend of versatility, image quality, and ease of use. Two often considered in this niche are the Olympus PEN E-PL6 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6. Released closely together - 2013 for the G6 and 2014 for the E-PL6 - these cameras compete for similar enthusiasts: budding creators, travel photographers on a budget, and those ready to dip a toe into mirrorless without breaking the bank.

In this article, I'll walk you through a detailed, no-nonsense comparison based on extensive real-world testing across photography styles and scenarios, coupled with a deep dive into their specs and usability. Whether you're debating which Micro Four Thirds option suits your creative workflow, shooting style, or wallet, this is your one-stop from an industry vet who's rolled thousands of shutter clicks on MFT gear.

First Impressions: Design, Handling, and Ergonomics

Before the pixels come the feel. How a camera sits in your hands influences shooting comfort for any prolonged session - something I always stress in my testing methodology.

Here's a visual comparison to start:

Olympus E-PL6: Compact and Friendly for Smaller Hands

The E-PL6 embraces the classic rangefinder-style mirrorless design - compact, lightweight (325g), and slim at 111x64x38mm. Olympus keeps the camera approachable for beginners and travel photographers seeking portability. It lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), but weighs in with a tilting 3" touchscreen. Controls are minimal but intuitive, suited to quick adjustments without intimidating newcomers.

Panasonic Lumix G6: A More Traditional DSLR-ish Grip

By contrast, the Panasonic G6 is bulkier (390g, dimensions 122x85x71mm) with an SLR-style body offering deeper grip clubs for thumbs and improved balance for longer, heavier lenses. It has a built-in EVF with 100% coverage and a solid magnification of 0.7x, a huge advantage for precise framing in bright conditions or street shooting.

The G6’s fully articulating 3" touchscreen (higher resolution at 1036k dots vs Olympus’ 460k) makes it preferable for vloggers or those shooting at tricky angles.

Bottom Line on Handling: If you're after pocketability and minimal weight, the Olympus is a winner. For a more confident grip, especially with telephoto or zoom lenses, the Panasonic’s larger, more ergonomic body suits. The viewfinder capability alone justifies the size difference for many.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras share the same 16-megapixel Four Thirds sensor size (17.3x13 mm sensor area of 224.9 mm²), which is half the linear dimensions of a full-frame sensor, resulting in a 2.1x crop factor. This impacts depth of field, field of view, and noise performance compared to larger formats.

Resolution and Detail

At 16MP, the resolution is modest by modern standards but respectable for enthusiasts starting to shoot detailed landscapes or portraits. Panasonic’s G6 edges out slightly in some lab tests (DxO scores of 61 overall versus Olympus not tested) due to slight differences in sensor processing, but in practical use, both deliver clean images at base ISO 100 or 160 (Olympus supports ISO 100, Panasonic a bit higher at 160).

Color and Dynamic Range

The Panasonic G6 boasts a color depth rating of 21.3 bits and dynamic range of 11.5 stops per DxO data, indicating excellent room for highlight and shadow recovery in landscapes or high contrast scenes. The Olympus E-PL6’s sensor scores are untested in DxO, but my hands-on experience shows slightly muted tones by comparison, characteristic of Olympus’s color science leaning toward cooler hues.

ISO and Low Light Performance

Low light sensitivity favors the G6 with a low light ISO score of 639, implying better noise control at higher ISOs. Olympus’s max native ISO of 25600 looks tempting on paper, but image noise beyond ISO 1600 becomes very aggressive, limiting use for night scenes or indoor events.

Summary: The G6 sensor and processor combination yield cleaner, richer files with superior dynamic range and usable high ISO. The E-PL6’s sensor remains competent but best used in well-lit conditions or with stabilized lenses.

Autofocus Systems: Tracking, Speed, and Accuracy

Autofocus (AF) can make or break action, wildlife, or event shooting. Here’s how these cameras stack up:

• Olympus E-PL6: 35 contrast-detect AF points; phase-detection AF not available; face detection supported; no animal eye AF
• Panasonic G6: 23 contrast-detect AF points; also no phase-detection; face detection supported; no animal eye AF

While Olympus offers more AF points, Panasonic’s system proved faster in my real-world tracking tests despite fewer points, thanks to optimized algorithms and focused hardware. Both use contrast-detection - slower than phase detection but effective with good light.

Olympus’s continuous AF and tracking struggled slightly in burst shots of sports or wildlife at 8 fps, with hesitations locking onto erratically moving subjects. Panasonic’s 7 fps rate felt smoother and more reliable for these scenarios.

For portraiture and still subjects, both cameras achieve accurate, repeatable focus aided by touch-to-focus on their respective LCDs.

Shutter and Burst Performance: Freezing the Moment

• Olympus max shutter speed: 1/4000s
• Panasonic max shutter speed: 1/4000s
• Burst: Olympus 8 fps, Panasonic 7 fps

In testing, the Olympus squeezed a slight edge in burst speed, but buffer depth wasn’t large enough to sustain long continuous captures in RAW. Panasonic’s slower burst was steadier and combined better AF tracking.

Neither camera supports electronic shutter or silent shooting, a limitation for tamer environments like weddings or wildlife photography demanding stealth.

Video Capabilities: More to Consider Than Just Pixels

Both cameras shoot Full HD 1080p, but their frame rates differ:

• Olympus: 1080p at 30 fps
• Panasonic: 1080p at 60, 50, 30, 25 fps

The G6’s ability to capture smoother 60fps video is a bonus for slow-motion or sport-centric b-rolls. In addition, the Panasonic supports AVCHD and MPEG-4 encodings, while Olympus sticks with MPEG-4 and Motion JPEG, the latter producing larger files with less compression.

Crucially, Panasonic includes a microphone input - a must-have for vloggers or serious video creators wanting better audio control. Olympus lacks this port, relying on in-body mic only.

Neither camera offers 4K or higher resolution recording options, understandable at their price points and release dates.

Display and Viewfinder: Your Eye on the Shot

• Olympus E-PL6 sports a 3” 460k dot tilting touchscreen. The interface is simplified, responsive to touch for focusing and navigation but limited to tilt motion.
• Panasonic G6 uses a 3” 1036k fully articulating LCD, offering more flexibility for vlogging, macro or angled shooting positions.
• G6 adds a built-in EVF with 100% frame coverage and 1.44M dots resolution, missing on the Olympus model.

In bright daylight or fast-action scenes, Panasonic’s viewfinder is invaluable, especially for street or wildlife shooters. Olympus users must rely on the LCD, which can be challenging under harsh sunlight.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera features weather sealing or robust environmental protection, so neither is suited for harsh weather or rugged outdoor adventures without additional housing. Both are constructed from plastic and metal composites keeping weight manageable but limiting durability under heavy professional use.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both use the Micro Four Thirds mount supporting the same extensive lens range - this is a major plus in the MFT system, offering over 100 lens options from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties.

Given their identical mount and sensor size, the difference in lens compatibility or focal length multiplier (2.1x crop) is nil.

If you plan on growing your lens collection, either camera will support your progression seamlessly.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

• Storage: Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one card slot.
• Battery: Olympus E-PL6 uses BLS-5 battery, rated ~360 shots per charge; Panasonic G6 uses a similar pack rated ~340 shots.
• Wireless: Olympus supports Eye-Fi connectivity only; Panasonic offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easier wireless sharing and remote operation.
• Ports: Panasonic includes external mic input; Olympus does not.

Practical implications: Panasonic’s wireless options and audio input enhance its value for content creators and travelers relying on mobile workflows or video production.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Let’s bring this to life with a genre-specific performance assessment. Ratings based on my hundreds of in-field sessions with each camera:

Portrait Photography

• E-PL6: Decent skin tone reproduction, thanks to Olympus’s cooler color palette, which can be adjusted in post or warming picture modes. Bokeh from MFT lenses pairs well with the camera, though no animal eye AF or advanced face tracking.
• G6: Slightly warmer colors and better autofocus locking on eyes, yielding more reliable portraits. Built-in EVF helps precise framing for headshots.

Winner for portraits: Panasonic G6 due to superior autofocus and framing tools.

Landscape Photography

• Both share ample resolution and dynamic range suitable for landscapes; however, Panasonic’s better ISO noise handling and slightly wider dynamic range let it capture scenes with punchier highlights and shadows.
• Olympus’s compact size makes for easy hikes, but compromised LCD viewing in sunlight is a downside.

Winner for landscapes: Panasonic G6 edges out for image quality but Olympus is the lightweight champ.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus’s 8 fps burst offers speed, but AF tracking lagged in decisive moments.
• Panasonic’s reliable AF tracking and 7 fps burst rate delivered more keepers, though buffer limits still a bottleneck.
• Ergonomics of G6 favor shooting with heavier telephotos.

Winner for action: Panasonic G6 for AF consistency and handling.

Street Photography

• Olympus’s compact rangefinder styling and light weight excel for discretion and portability.
• Panasonic’s EVF aids in bright environments but is larger and less stealthy.

Winner for street: Olympus E-PL6 for portability and subtlety.

Macro Photography

• Both lack specialized macro features (no focus stacking or bracketing).
• Panasonic’s fully articulating touchscreen helps creative angles; Olympus’s stabilization system inside the body helps handheld macro shots.

Winner for macro: Olympus E-PL6 for stabilization advantage.

Night and Astrophotography

Neither excels with limited ISO performance and no long-exposure bulb modes or anti-noise tech, but Olympus’s sensor-based stabilization aids handheld night shots.

Practical Value and Price-to-Performance Ratio

At launch or current used prices:

• Olympus E-PL6 hovers around $300 - an absolute bargain for beginners or those treating photography as a leisure hobby.
• Panasonic G6 typically priced around $750, commands a premium for its EVF, superior AF, and enhanced video features.

Is the $450 difference justified? For casual shooters on a budget, Olympus is hard to resist. However, if you want an all-rounder that holds its own in video, autofocus, and more serious photography tasks, the G6 justifies its investment.

Control Layout and Usability: Buttons, Dials, and Menus

Olympus offers a cleaner top deck with fewer dials, leaning into touchscreen navigation. This can frustrate experienced photographers who favor quick clubs for thumb dials and dedicated exposure controls.

Panasonic’s DSLR-style body carries more buttons and dials for direct access - a clear preference for those who want to tweak aperture, ISO, and shutter priority with fingers always near the controls.

Sample Images Gallery: Seeing Is Believing

Let’s compare JPEG files straight out of the cameras under identical conditions:

Olympus E PL6 front Olympus E PL6 screen back Panasonic G6 front Panasonic G6 screen back

Look closely at skin textures, shadow details, and color saturation. The Panasonic G6’s images appear slightly sharper with richer color saturation. Olympus images display a softer signature, pleasant for casual snapshots but less punch for professional output.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Who should buy the Olympus PEN E-PL6?

• Beginners or casual shooters prioritizing lightweight, compact gear.
• Travelers seeking an easy-to-carry camera with good image stabilization.
• Budget-conscious folks wanting decent image quality without gadget overload.
• Street photographers valuing discretion over controls or EVF.

Who should buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6?

• Enthusiasts needing a more balanced tool for both photos and videos.
• Users looking for reliable continuous autofocus and viewfinder.
• Vloggers requiring microphone input and a fully articulating screen.
• Wildlife or sports photographers needing burst performance and better AF tracking.
• Photographers appreciating DSLR-style handling and control layout.

Wrapping Up

Neither camera is perfect; each carries tradeoffs reflecting their targeted buyers and release era. The Olympus E-PL6 is a fabulous entry point into the Micro Four Thirds world for the cheapskate or casual content creator. The Panasonic G6 offers a more versatile package that leans toward semi-pro users eager for more control, video, and faster autofocus.

If your budget permits, by all means, lean toward the G6 for its better all-around capabilities. If size, simplicity, and low cost win your heart, the E-PL6 remains a solid choice worth considering.

Happy shooting, and remember - whichever you pick, mastering technique always trumps gear specs!

Summary Table

This hands-on comparison aims to bring clarity beyond marketing specs - from the field to your workflow - enabling smart picks that boost creativity, not clutter your bag. Thanks for reading!