Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
54
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800
51
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800 are both mirrorless cameras, released in 2015 and 2017 respectively. The GX800 is the smaller, lighter body for everyday carrying, measuring 107 x 65 x 33 mm and weighing 269 g against 120 x 83 x 47 mm and 390 g for the E-M10 Mark II. The 121 g difference makes the Panasonic the more pocketable choice. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2015 | January 4, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 47 mm | 107 x 65 x 33 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 269 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 53/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M10 Mark II is the stronger choice for handheld stills in dim light, offering in-body image stabilisation that the GX800 lacks. Slower shutter speeds stay usable with unstabilised lenses such as manual primes. Its 81 autofocus points against 49 give more placement options for off-centre subjects. It alone has a viewfinder, a 2,360,000-dot electronic finder, while the GX800 relies on its rear screen. For fast or bright shooting the GX800 has the edge. Its 1/16000 second maximum shutter, against 1/4000 on the Olympus, keeps wide apertures usable in strong sunlight, and its 10 fps burst against 8 fps catches fleeting expressions. Resolution is a practical tie at 16.1 MP versus 16 MP, and both share the Micro 4/3 mount, so the same lenses fit either body. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 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. |
8 fps045 | 10 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. |
400080032000 | 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 | 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 | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GX800 is the better pick when your clips need 4K, recording up to 4K while the E-M10 Mark II stops at Full HD. The extra resolution leaves room to crop and reframe in editing. The Olympus instead reaches a maximum of 60 fps against 30 fps, keeping panning and walking motion fluid at normal playback speed. Both offer built-in timelapse for interval work without an external trigger. | ||
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. |
60 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 | Yes |
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. |
avi | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras offer a 3-inch, 1,040,000-dot touch LCD that flips for waist-level or self-framed shots. Both include a built-in flash and Wi-Fi for sending images to a phone, and neither has GPS or Bluetooth. The E-M10 Mark II alone supports an external flash, so it is the one to choose for portraits or event lighting with a hot-shoe unit. Neither body has weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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 | No |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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. |
10400001150001500000 | 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 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-M10 Mark II carries the longer battery rating for a long day out, at 320 shots against 210 for the GX800. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need a separate charger between sessions. Card formats differ in a practical way. The Olympus takes full-size SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, while the Panasonic takes the microSD versions, so existing full-size cards work directly only in the Olympus. Both have a single card slot, with no dual-slot backup. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | microSD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | DMW-BLH7 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 210 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II for deliberate stills work. Its stabilisation, electronic viewfinder, external flash support and longer 320-shot battery rating suit handheld interiors, eye-level framing and portraits with a hot-shoe flash.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX800 when pocketability or video leads. It is 121 g lighter, records 4K, shoots 10 fps bursts and offers a 1/16000 second shutter for wide apertures in daylight, suiting travel and vlogging with a small lens.