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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Updated by Olympus E-PM2
Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2017
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH4
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH5 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GH5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the E-PM1 (12MP) and GH5 (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM1 was brought out 6 years before the GH5 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PM1 matches up versus the GH5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Panasonic GH5

 E-PM1 GH5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 GH5 E-PM1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017November 2011Fresher by 62 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k460kSharper display (+1160k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH5

 E-PM1 GH5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM1 has exterior measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH5 has measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM1 versus Panasonic GH5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-PM1 compared to the GH5.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM1 and GH5 is 89 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PM1 and GH5.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic GH5 to offer greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older E-PM1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
76
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Street photography camera
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
74
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Sports photography camera
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
68
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
bad battery life (410 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GH5 Travel photography factors
45
no Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
68
environment proof
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography features
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
no Timelapse function
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
Vlogging with Panasonic GH5
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
75
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone jack
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Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM1 and Panasonic GH5
 Olympus PEN E-PM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-11-23 2017-01-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VI 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 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 35 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,620k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 265 grams (0.58 pounds) 725 grams (1.60 pounds)
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 77
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 13.0
DXO Low light score 499 807
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 410 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail cost $499 $1,298