Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III vs Panasonic Lumix GH5S — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
72
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix GH5S
62
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the Panasonic Lumix GH5S are both mirrorless cameras built on the Micro Four Thirds format and the Micro 4/3 mount, so your lenses transfer between them. The 2020 Olympus is the smaller carry at 134 x 91 x 69 mm and 580 g, against 139 x 98 x 87 mm and 660 g for the 2017 GH5S. Neither offers GPS, so geotagging needs a separate solution. | ||
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 8, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 91 x 69 mm | 139 x 98 x 87 mm |
| Camera weight | 580 g | 660 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 Mark III is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or large prints: its 20 MP sensor delivers twice the pixels of the 10 MP GH5S. A distant bird filling only part of the frame leaves you twice the room to crop. It also leads for action, shooting at up to 60 fps against 12 fps on the GH5S, and its in-body stabilisation helps keep handheld frames sharp at slower shutter speeds. The GH5S answers with a 51200 native ISO ceiling against 25600 for very dim light, plus 225 autofocus points against the Olympus's 121. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 10 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 | 3680 x 2760 |
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 | 19.2 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 | 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 | 16030200 |
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 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 8030200 |
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 | 2048003003280000 |
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 | 2250300 |
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 | 368000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 69/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor documentary and travel filming, both cameras offer 4K as their maximum resolution and 60 fps as their maximum frame rate, saving to MPEG-4 or MOV. Either body feeds the same editing workflow, so the split comes down to shooting features. For timelapse, the E-M1 Mark III is the easier tool, with a built-in interval function the GH5S lacks, so a sunset or construction sequence rolls without external hardware. That saves gear and setup time on location. | ||
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 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 83/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GH5S gives you a better monitoring experience, with a 3.2-inch screen at 1,620,000 dots against the 3-inch, 1,037,000-dot panel of the E-M1 Mark III. For critical focus checks, that larger, sharper display makes fine detail easier to judge. Everyday controls match closely: both offer touch screens that flip out for high and low angles, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transfer and remote control. Both are weather-sealed, and neither includes a built-in flash, though both accept external 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" | 3.2" |
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 BatteryCard handling favours the GH5S: both carry dual SD slots, but the Panasonic supports UHS-II, while the Olympus offers it on only one slot. A fast card in the other slot runs at standard speed. Battery ratings are close: 440 shots for the GH5S against 420 for the Olympus. The Olympus adds USB charging, so you can top up its BLH-1 battery from a power bank between locations, which the GH5S cannot do. | ||
| 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 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | No |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For stills photographers, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III is the stronger buy: its 20 MP resolution, 60 fps burst rate and in-body stabilisation directly support wildlife, sports and handheld low-light photography. Built-in timelapse recording and USB charging help on long days in the field.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix GH5S if monitoring and ISO headroom matter most: its larger 3.2-inch, 1,620,000-dot screen makes focus checks easier, and its 51200 native ISO ceiling widens your dim-light settings. For heavy cropping or large prints, the 20 MP Olympus is the better pick, and the shared Micro 4/3 mount takes the same lenses.