Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
72
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5
72
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so any Micro 4/3 lens you already own fits either body. Both carry in-body stabilisation for hand-holding slower shutter speeds. The E-M1 Mark III arrived in 2020, three years after the GH5, in the smaller, lighter body. It measures 134 x 91 x 69 mm against 139 x 98 x 87 mm, and weighs 580 g against 725 g, the lighter camera to pack on long hikes. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 12, 2020 | January 4, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 91 x 69 mm | 139 x 98 x 87 mm |
| Camera weight | 580 g | 725 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 67/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 Mark III is the stronger choice for burst shooting of fast-moving subjects. It reaches 60 fps against 12 fps on the GH5, capturing far more frames of a bird taking off or a runner crossing the line. The GH5 is the better camera for composing fine detail. Its viewfinder packs 3,680,000 dots against 2,360,000, a denser framing view. Its 1/16000 second maximum shutter is shorter than the Olympus 1/8000, giving latitude to shoot wide apertures in bright light. Its 225 autofocus points outnumber the 121 on the E-M1 Mark III. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 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. |
17.4 x 13 | 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 IX | 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. |
800080032000 | 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 | 83/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe E-M1 Mark III is the easier camera for timelapse work. It has built-in timelapse recording, so you can set an interval and let the camera assemble the sequence, while the GH5 does not offer built-in timelapse. The two cameras match on maximum video resolution and frame rate, both recording 4K and supporting frame rates up to 60 fps. Both save to MOV, with MPEG-4 on the Olympus and MP4 on the GH5. | ||
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. |
60 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. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MP4, MOV |
| Features | 83/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH5 has the better rear screen for checking focus and reviewing footage. Its 3.2-inch LCD carries 1,620,000 dots against the E-M1 Mark III's 3-inch, 1,037,000-dot panel, a denser display. Both screens are touch-enabled and articulate, helping with waist-level shots and self-framed video. Weather sealing on both bodies lets you keep shooting in rain and dust, and both offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transfer and remote control. Neither camera has a built-in flash or GPS, so geotagging and fill light need accessories. | ||
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 | TFT 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryDual SD slots on both cameras let you separate stills and video or keep recording when one card fills. The GH5 supports UHS-II cards, while the E-M1 Mark III offers UHS-II speed on one of its two slots, so the Panasonic suits fast cards more broadly. The E-M1 Mark III pulls ahead on power convenience. Its BLH-1 battery is rated at 420 shots against 410 for the GH5's DMW-BLF19, a near-identical pair. It also supports USB charging, so a power bank or laptop can top it up without a dedicated charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible on one slot) | 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. |
420 shots1505000 | 410 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-M1 Mark III if you shoot wildlife, sports or fast action handheld. Its 60 fps burst rate, built-in timelapse and USB charging make it the better tool for long days of action photography.
Choose the GH5 if what you see while composing and reviewing matters most. Its 3,680,000-dot viewfinder, 1,620,000-dot screen, 225 autofocus points and 1/16000 second shutter reward careful framing and bright-light shooting. The shared mount and 4K recording keep either body in a serious Micro Four Thirds kit.