Olympus OM-D E-M1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 — 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 · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7
52
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 are 2013 mirrorless cameras sharing the Micro Four Thirds mount, so they draw on one native lens library. The GX7 is the more compact carry at 123 x 71 x 55 mm and 402 g, against 130 x 94 x 63 mm and 497 g for the E-M1. | ||
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 | August 1, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 130 x 94 x 63 mm | 123 x 71 x 55 mm |
| Camera weight | 497 g | 402 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1 is the stronger choice for moving subjects, shooting at 10 fps against 5 fps for the GX7 with autofocus across 81 points rather than 23. For a bird in flight or a sprinting child, that doubling gives twice as many frames from which to pick the peak moment. The GX7 counters with a more detailed electronic viewfinder, 2,764,800 dots against 2,360,000, useful for checking fine focus manually. Neither camera offers a meaningful cropping advantage at 16.3 versus 16 megapixels. In-body stabilisation appears in both for handheld shooting with unstabilised lenses, and both share the 1/8000 second maximum shutter speed for wide apertures in bright light. | ||
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 | 5 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 | 12530200 |
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. |
810300 | 230300 |
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 | 276480009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GX7 is the better pick for video of anything that moves, offering up to 60 fps against 30 fps for the E-M1. Footage at 60 fps plays back with smoother motion and slows to half speed in editing for dance, sport or flowing water. Both cap at Full HD resolution, so neither offers 4K output. For timelapse work the E-M1 has built-in interval shooting and the GX7 does not, so a sunset compressed into seconds needs no external timer on 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 | MP4 |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing on the E-M1 makes it the safer camera for rain, sea spray and dusty trails, while the GX7 offers none. The GX7 carries a built-in flash for fill light on backlit portraits or dim interiors, which the E-M1 omits, though both accept external flash units. Each camera has a 3-inch tilting touchscreen, live view and Wi-Fi for sending images to a phone, and their screen dot counts differ by only 3,000. Neither includes GPS, so geotagging travel photos needs a paired device. | ||
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 | 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 record to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, and each is rated for 350 shots on a charge under its test conditions. Neither supports USB charging, so both need a dedicated charger for long days. The batteries differ: an Olympus BLN-1 pack in the E-M1 and a 7.2V 1200 mAh lithium-ion pack in the GX7, which matters mainly when buying spares. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | Li-Ion, 7.2V, 1200 mAh |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 350 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 Olympus OM-D E-M1 if you shoot action or work outdoors. Its 10 fps burst, 81-point autofocus and weather sealing serve wildlife, sports and landscape photography in poor conditions, and built-in timelapse suits outdoor video work.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 for a lighter, more compact everyday and travel camera. It adds a built-in flash, records smoother 60 fps video and offers the more detailed viewfinder. The shared Micro 4/3 mount means your lens options carry over.