Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 — 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
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 25 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 6K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6
73
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 are both mirrorless cameras on the Micro 4/3 mount, so any MFT lens fits either body. The Olympus arrived in 2020, the Panasonic two years later in 2022. The GH6 is the larger and heavier camera, at 138 x 100 x 100 mm and 823 g against 134 x 91 x 69 mm and 580 g. The Olympus is the smaller, lighter body to pack. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2022 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 12, 2020 | February 22, 2022 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 91 x 69 mm | 138 x 100 x 100 mm |
| Camera weight | 580 g | 823 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH6 gives you more resolution to crop into, at 25 MP against 20 MP, useful when a distant bird needs a tighter frame. Its electronic viewfinder is also finer, with 3,686,400 dots against 2,360,000, making fine focus easier to judge while composing. For fast action the E-M1 Mark III is the clear choice, with a 60 fps maximum burst against 14 fps on the GH6, more chances at a bird's peak wingbeat. The GH6 counters with 315 autofocus points against 121, and both carry in-body stabilisation for handheld work. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 25 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 | 5776 x 4336 |
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 | 17.3 x 13 |
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 | 14 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 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 5030200 |
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 | 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 | 3150300 |
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 | 368640009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 96/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH6 is the far stronger video camera, with 6K as its maximum recording resolution and 120 fps as its maximum frame rate, twice the E-M1 Mark III's 60 fps ceiling. Its 6K footage leaves room to crop a 4K delivery frame, and 120 fps gives smooth slow motion in a 60 fps timeline. The E-M1 Mark III tops out at 4K resolution and a 60 fps maximum frame rate, enough for half-speed slow motion in a 30 fps timeline. Both record MPEG-4 and MOV files, and both include built-in timelapse. | ||
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 |  6K |
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 | 5760 x 2880 |
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 | 120 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. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH6's rear screen shows more detail when reviewing focus, with 1,240,000 dots against 1,037,000 on the E-M1 Mark III. Neither camera has GPS, so neither body tags its files with shooting locations on its own. Both cameras offer weather sealing for rain and dust, a 3-inch TFT LCD touchscreen, and a flip screen for waist-level and overhead angles. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth handle image transfer and remote control. Neither has a built-in flash, though both take external flash units. | ||
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 | TFT 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 | 12400001150001500000 |
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 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-M1 Mark III has the higher rated battery life, at 420 shots against 360 for the GH6. Both cameras charge over USB, so a power bank can top either one up between locations. Both have dual slots, but the GH6 takes SD with UHS-II support plus CFexpress B, while the E-M1 Mark III uses two SD slots with UHS-II on one. The Olympus runs on SD cards, while the GH6 adds a CFexpress B purchase. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible on one slot) | SD (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress B |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLH-1 | Li-ion Battery Pack |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
420 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6 if video is central to your work. Its 6K recording, 120 fps slow motion and CFexpress B slot make it the right body for filmmakers and hybrid shooters who crop a 4K frame from wider footage.
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III for fast stills subjects such as birds in flight, sport and photojournalism, where its 60 fps maximum burst gives more chances at the decisive moment. If your work mixes both, let your primary output decide.