Olympus OM-D E-M1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M1
59
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 are both mirrorless cameras from 2013, so this is a contest between two same-era bodies rather than old against new. The E-M1 is the larger and heavier body at 130 x 94 x 63 mm and 497 g, while the G6 measures 122 x 85 x 71 mm and weighs 390 g. That 107 g saving favours the G6 on long walking days and when packing light. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 10, 2013 | April 24, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 130 x 94 x 63 mm | 122 x 85 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 497 g | 390 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 is the stronger choice for handheld work in dim light and for tracking moving subjects. Its in-body stabilisation steadies any mounted lens, letting you shoot interiors and evening scenes at slower shutter speeds, while the G6 relies on stabilised lenses alone. For action, the E-M1 offers 81 autofocus points against 23 and 10 fps against 7 fps. Its 1/8000 second top shutter also gives shorter exposures than the G6's 1/4000. Resolution is effectively a match at 16.3 MP versus 16.05 MP, so files from either body crop with similar freedom. Both use the same Micro 4/3 mount, so your lenses move between them. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16.05 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 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 17.3 | 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. |
10 fps045 | 7 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 VII | 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 | 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 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
10030200 | 16030200 |
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 | 12044080 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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. |
810300 | 230300 |
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 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G6 is the better pick for slow motion, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps against the E-M1's 30 fps. Slowed to half speed in editing, its footage still plays smoothly, where the E-M1's limit constrains that effect. Maximum resolution is a shared Full HD limit, so neither camera offers 4K recording. The E-M1 counters with a built-in intervalometer for timelapse sequences, which the G6 lacks, so timelapse shooters avoid external timers with the Olympus. | ||
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. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
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. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
30 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 AVC/H.264, Motion JPEG | AVCHD MP4 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing makes the E-M1 the better companion for beach, mountain and changeable-weather shoots, a protection the G6 does not offer. The G6 answers with a built-in flash for quick fill light on faces outdoors when you carry nothing extra. Controls and connectivity are shared. Both offer a 3-inch flip-out touch LCD, Wi-Fi for wireless transfer to a phone, and an external flash shoe for strobes. Neither body includes GPS, so geotagging travel photos needs a synced phone app. | ||
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 | No |
| 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 | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is a similarity: both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot. Battery ratings are close, at 350 shots for the E-M1 against 340 for the G6. Each uses its own proprietary pack, a BLN-1 for the E-M1 and a DMW-BLC12 for the G6, so spares are not interchangeable. Neither supports USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | DMW-BLC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | [object Object] | — |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 | — |
| Status | complete | — |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-M1 for wildlife, sports and travel documentary work. Its 81 autofocus points, 10 fps burst and weather sealing suit moving subjects, poor conditions and handheld low-light frames with any mounted lens.
Choose the G6 for a lighter everyday carry, a built-in flash for casual family shots, or smoother slow motion from its 60 fps maximum frame rate. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount and near-identical 16 MP resolution, so your lenses and files travel with whichever body you pick.