Olympus OM-D E-M1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 — Which Is Better?

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 are both mirrorless cameras using the shared Micro 4/3 lens mount, so any native lens works on either body. Olympus launched the E-M1 in 2013, a year after Panasonic introduced the GH3 in 2012.

The E-M1 is the lighter and slimmer body at 497 g and 63 mm deep, against 550 g and 82 mm for the GH3, so it packs flatter into a bag.

The E-M1 is the better choice for handheld stills in dim light because it offers in-body stabilisation, which the GH3 lacks. That stabilisation works with any mounted lens, so a legacy prime or an unstabilised zoom still gains steadier handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds.

The E-M1's 81 autofocus points cover more of the frame than the GH3's 23, and its 1/8000 second shutter allows wide apertures in bright sunlight against the GH3's 1/4000 limit. Native ISO reaches 25600 on the E-M1 against 12800 on the GH3, though both expand to 25600. For action sequences, the GH3 reaches up to 20 fps against the E-M1's 10.

The GH3 is the stronger camera for motion work because its maximum video frame rate reaches 60 fps, twice the E-M1's 30 fps. That higher frame rate smooths fast movement and gives twice the slow-motion latitude when editing.

Maximum resolution is a shared strength: both cameras cap out at Full HD rather than 4K. Each also offers a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences, so neither needs an external trigger for that work.

A built-in flash gives the GH3 a touch of fill light outdoors without a shoe-mounted unit, which the E-M1 lacks. Both support external flashguns through the hot shoe when you need more power.

The E-M1's rear screen shows finer detail when you check critical focus, resolving 1,037,000 dots against 614,000 on the GH3's OLED panel. Both 3 inch screens support touch control and tilting for waist-level or overhead angles. Both bodies carry weather sealing and Wi-Fi, while neither includes GPS.

Battery endurance favours the GH3, rated for 540 shots per charge against 350 for the E-M1. That higher rating suits longer shooting days away from a charger.

Storage is a shared setup: both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot for overflow or backup on either body. Neither camera supports charging over USB, so both rely on an external charger for their batteries.