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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2018
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH5S, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM1 (12MP) and the GH5S (10MP) is very close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was released 7 years prior to the GH5S and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the GH5S in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-PM1 GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-PM1

 GH5S E-PM1 
IntroducedJanuary 2018November 2011More recent by 74 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kCrisper display (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH5S

 E-PM1 GH5S 
Focus manually Very precise focusing

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM1 features outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH5S has specifications of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH5S in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM1 and the GH5S.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM1 and GH5S is 89 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing specifications. The visual below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PM1 and GH5S.

To sum up, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus E-PM1 to provide you with greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The older E-PM1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM1
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH5S
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
62
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
68
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic GH5S Sports photography factors
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography information
Panasonic GH5S Travel photography information
45
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
61
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Landscape photography camera
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
63
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
Panasonic GH5S Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
68
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
has face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic socket
lack of image stabilization
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-11-23 2018-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VI Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 3680 x 2760
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,620 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video data format AVCHD, 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 gr (0.58 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 499 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 440 photos
Battery type 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Card slots One Dual
Cost at release $499 $2,498