Olympus OM-D E-M1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 — 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 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80
58
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 is the newer body, launched in 2016 against the Olympus OM-D E-M1's 2013 release. Both are mirrorless cameras sharing the Micro Four Thirds mount, so the same lenses fit either body. The E-M1 is 130 x 94 x 63 mm and 497 g. The G80 is 128 x 89 x 74 mm and 505 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 10, 2013 | September 19, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 130 x 94 x 63 mm | 128 x 89 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 497 g | 505 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 is the stronger camera for moving subjects, pairing 81 autofocus points with a 10 fps burst against the G80's 49 points and 9 fps. That wider AF spread and faster burst suit sports, birds in flight and running children. Both bodies have in-body stabilisation, so handheld shooting stays steadier with any lens. Resolution differs by only 0.3 megapixels, so neither offers extra cropping room. The G80's 1/16000 second shutter gives a shorter exposure than the E-M1's 1/8000, useful for wide apertures in daylight. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16 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 | 4592 x 3448 |
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 | 9 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 |
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. |
10030200 | 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. |
810300 | 490300 |
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 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G80 is the clear choice for video that needs editing headroom, recording up to 4K where the E-M1 stops at Full HD. That extra resolution gives room to crop footage and still deliver a sharp picture. The E-M1 offers a built-in timelapse function, so interval sequences such as star trails need no extra equipment. The G80 does not include one, which matters for timelapse plans. | ||
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 |  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. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 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. |
30 fps | 30 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 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G80 carries a built-in flash, so fill light for portraits or dim interiors is always on the body. The E-M1 has none built in, though both cameras support external flash units. Both are weather-sealed, useful for hiking and landscape work. Both use a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out for waist-level and overhead angles. Both include WiFi for wireless transfer. Neither includes GPS or Bluetooth, so neither offers built-in location tagging. | ||
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 | 10400001150001500000 |
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 BatteryBoth cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so your cards and workflow move straight between them. Neither charges over USB, so charging means the battery charger rather than a USB cable. The E-M1 is rated for 350 shots against 330 for the G80, a 20-shot edge for the Olympus. A spare battery is worth carrying on either camera for a full-day event. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 330 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 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 if video is part of your plan: 4K recording suits family films, travel vlogs and footage you want to crop or show on modern screens. The built-in flash adds instant fill light, and the 1/16000 second shutter helps for wide-open portraits in sunshine.
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 for fast stills such as birds in flight or weekend football, where its 81-point autofocus and 10 fps burst give wider coverage and more frames. Its built-in timelapse earns it a place for star-trail projects.