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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Released September 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GM1
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the GM5 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL8 was introduced 2 years after the GM5 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-PL8 grades against the GM5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic GM5

 E-PL8 GM5 
ReleasedSeptember 2016September 2014Newer by 25 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Olympus E-PL8

 GM5 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic GM5

 E-PL8 GM5 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL8 offers external dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GM5 has specifications of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL8 against the GM5.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and GM5 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL8 and GM5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of files but you have to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The younger E-PL8 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Street photography camera
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
76
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with focus by touch
lighter than others in class (211g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography factors
Panasonic GM5 Sports photography factors
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect AF
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Travel photography camera
71
provides touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than others in class (211 grams)
comes with focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
low battery life (220 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography info
Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography info
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
69
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (220 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GM5 as a Vlogging camera
35
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
34
has touchscreen
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (211g)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic GM5
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-09-19 2014-09-15
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/500s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 5.8fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 gr (0.79 lb) 211 gr (0.47 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.7
DXO Low light score not tested 721
Other
Battery life 350 shots 220 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - DMW-BLH7
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $500 $966