Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 — 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 · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 are both mirrorless cameras, but they take very different approaches to size. The Olympus arrived in 2015 as a conventionally shaped body measuring 120 x 83 x 47 mm and weighing 390 g. The Panasonic, announced in September 2014, is much smaller at 99 x 60 x 36 mm and 211 g, 179 g lighter than the Olympus. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2015 | September 15, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 47 mm | 99 x 60 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 211 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe shared Micro 4/3 mount means any lens you buy for one body fits the other, so your kit moves freely between them. Resolution is effectively a tie, at 16.1 MP on the Olympus against 16 MP on the Panasonic. Both use Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensors with a 200 to 25600 ISO range. The Olympus is the stronger choice for handheld work and moving subjects. In-body stabilisation, absent on the GM5, permits slower shutter speeds without a tripod, and its 81 autofocus points and 8 fps burst beat the GM5's 23 and 5.8 fps. Its viewfinder shows more detail, at 2,360,000 dots against 1,166,000. The GM5 answers with a 1/16000 second maximum shutter, four times shorter than the Olympus 1/4000, useful at wide apertures in bright light. | ||
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 | 5.8 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 | 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 | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoVideo tops out at Full HD on both cameras, and 60 fps is the fastest frame rate either offers, so 4K projects need a different camera. The practical difference is recording format: the Panasonic records in MP4 and AVCHD, while the Olympus writes AVI. If you prefer an MP4 workflow, the GM5 offers it and the E-M10 Mark II does not. Both also include built-in timelapse, so interval shooting needs no external controller. | ||
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. |
60 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 | 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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Olympus wins the convenience comparison for people and travel photography. Its built-in flash gives you instant fill light indoors, and its flip screen tilts for waist-level and overhead framing, something the fixed GM5 screen cannot do. Its rear LCD is also sharper, at 1,040,000 dots against 921,000, making manual focus checks easier. Both cameras offer a touch-enabled 3-inch LCD, Wi-Fi for wireless transfer to a phone, and an external flash shoe. Neither has GPS, so location tagging needs a phone or a separate receiver. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 | No |
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 BatteryBoth cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither offers USB charging, so spare batteries are the practical plan. The Olympus BLS-50 battery is rated at 320 shots against 220 for the Panasonic's DMW-BLH7, a 100-shot higher rating. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / 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 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II is the better pick. Its stabilisation, denser autofocus spread, faster burst, tilting screen, built-in flash and higher battery rating cover everything from dim interiors to street and travel work. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 earns its place when size matters most. At 211 g it is a far smaller body, and its 1/16000 second shutter and MP4 recording suit bright-light stills and casual clips.