Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 — 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
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
58
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 are both mirrorless cameras. The Olympus arrived in 2016, two years after the 2014 Panasonic. The GH4 is the lighter body at 560 g against 574 g, and it measures 133 x 93 x 84 mm against 134 x 91 x 67 mm, so the Panasonic is deeper and taller while the Olympus is wider and slimmer. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 19, 2016 | February 7, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 91 x 67 mm | 133 x 93 x 84 mm |
| Camera weight | 574 g | 560 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 52/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 Mark II is the stronger camera for cropping and fast action. Its 20.4 MP sensor captures more pixels than the GH4's 16 MP, so a distant bird or a tight crop keeps more detail. It also shoots at up to 60 fps against 12 fps, with 121 autofocus points instead of 49. In-body stabilisation makes the Olympus the pick for handheld work, holding steady at slower shutter speeds where the GH4 needs a tripod or a stabilised lens. Its 1/32000 second top shutter against 1/8000 keeps wide apertures usable in bright light. Both use the Micro Four Thirds format and mount, so native lenses fit either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.4 MP050 | 16 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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 IX |
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 | 800080032000 |
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 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoEither camera records 4K, so both deliver high-resolution footage for cinematic projects, and both offer a maximum video frame rate of 24 fps. Built-in timelapse on both saves carrying an intervalometer for sunset or cloud sequences. The GH4 fits more editing and playback workflows, recording MOV, MP4 and AVCHD against the Olympus's MOV and AVI. Its extra MP4 option makes clips easy to open on common devices. | ||
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 | 24 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 | Yes |
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 | MOV, MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH4's built-in flash gives quick fill light for a backlit portrait without packing an accessory. The Olympus has none built in, though both support external units for stronger, more directional lighting. Both bodies are weather sealed and have a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out for waist-level and overhead shots. WiFi moves images to a phone on both, and neither has GPS, so location tagging needs a separate device. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
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" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 10360001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 57/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry dual card slots and accept SD, SDHC and SDXC media, so two cards can sit in the body across a long shoot. The GH4's DMW-BLF19 battery is rated for 500 shots against 440 for the Olympus BLH-1. Neither camera charges over USB, so budget for a mains charger and a spare on longer days. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| 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 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II for movement and handheld dim light. Its up-to-60 fps burst, 121 autofocus points, in-body stabilisation and extra megapixels suit birds in flight, sports and dim interiors, while the faster shutter keeps wide apertures open in sunshine.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is the better pick when you want a pop-up flash for quick fill light, a higher battery rating for event days, and MP4 clips for straightforward editing. Both share the Micro Four Thirds system, so the same lenses fit either body.