Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20.4 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
68
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5
72
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (2016) and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 (2017) are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so every native lens in that shared system fits either body. The E-M1 Mark II is the lighter and more compact carry at 574 g and 134 x 91 x 67 mm, against 725 g and 139 x 98 x 87 mm for the GH5. That 151 g gap and slimmer depth suit travel kits. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 19, 2016 | January 4, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 91 x 67 mm | 139 x 98 x 87 mm |
| Camera weight | 574 g | 725 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 Mark II is the stronger pick for fast action stills, shooting at up to 60 frames per second where the GH5 manages 12. Its 1/32000 second maximum shutter gives shorter exposures than the GH5's 1/16000, useful for wide apertures in bright light. Both use CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensors of nearly matching resolution, 20.4 MP against 20.3 MP, and both include in-body stabilisation for sharper handheld work. The GH5 answers with more autofocus points, 225 against 121, giving more placements for off-centre subjects. Its electronic viewfinder offers more detail, 3,680,000 dots versus 2,360,000, for finer manual focus checks. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.4 MP050 | 20.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.4 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
60 fps045 | 12 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VIII | Venus Engine 10 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
6430200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
3200080032000 | 1600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1210300 | 2250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 368000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH5 is the stronger choice for motion in video, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps against 24 fps for the E-M1 Mark II. That supports 2.5-times slow motion of fast action on a 24 fps timeline. Both cameras share the same 4K maximum video resolution, so the difference lies in motion rather than pixel count. The E-M1 Mark II offers built-in timelapse recording, so interval work needs no external intervalometer. Both cameras record in MOV, with the GH5 adding MP4 and the Olympus adding AVI. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 4096 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
24 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, AVI | MP4, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH5 is the better-connected body, offering Bluetooth in addition to the Wi-Fi both cameras support. Its rear screen is also larger, 3.2 inches against 3.0 inches, with more dots, 1,620,000 versus 1,037,000, for clearer playback and menu reading. Both offer weather sealing, touch control, articulating screens and external flash support, and neither has a built-in flash or GPS. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 16200001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
No |  Yes |
| Storage & battery | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GH5 supports UHS-II SD cards in its dual slots, allowing faster card transfer speeds; the E-M1 Mark II's dual slots take standard SD, SDHC and SDXC media. The Olympus rates 440 shots per charge against 410 for the GH5, and each uses its own pack, the BLH-1 and the DMW-BLF19. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLH-1 | DMW-BLF19 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 410 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Buy the GH5 if video is central to your work: its 60 fps maximum frame rate, UHS-II card support, Bluetooth and larger, sharper screen make it the stronger hybrid package. Choose the E-M1 Mark II when fast stills lead, since 60 fps burst capture and the 1/32000 second shutter are decisive for birds in flight, sports and bright-light wide-aperture work.