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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed May 2013
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Older Model is Panasonic G3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G6
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic G5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the G5 (16MP) is relatively close and they feature the exact same sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PM2 was announced 11 months later than the G5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-PM2 grades vs the G5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Panasonic G5

 E-PM2 G5 
ReleasedMay 2013July 2012Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Olympus E-PM2

 G5 E-PM2 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic G5

 E-PM2 G5 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PM2 offers external dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Panasonic G5 has measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PM2 versus Panasonic G5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PM2 compared to the G5.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PM2 and G5 is 89 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The graphic here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PM2 and G5.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos but you may want to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher E-PM2 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography information
Panasonic G5 Portrait photography information
71
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Panasonic G5
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
66
screen articulates
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (396 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
Panasonic G5 Sports photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
51
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic G5 as a Travel photography camera
66
supports focus by touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
66
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (396 grams)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography features
Panasonic G5 Landscape photography features
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of Time Lapse function
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Panasonic G5
36
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
62
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (396 grams)
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Panasonic G5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Panasonic G5
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PM2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2013-05-21 2012-07-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine VII FHD
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 35 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 10.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lb) 396 grams (0.87 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 61
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 11.6
DXO Low light rating 932 618
Other
Battery life 360 shots 320 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $448 $699