Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 — 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
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
63
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 are 2015 mirrorless cameras. The GX8 is the larger and heavier body at 487 g and 133 x 78 x 63 mm. The E-M10 Mark II measures 120 x 83 x 47 mm and weighs 390 g, the lighter companion for a small everyday bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2015 | July 16, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 47 mm | 133 x 78 x 63 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 487 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GX8 is the stronger choice when you want room to crop, with 20.3 megapixels against 16.1 on the E-M10 Mark II. Those extra pixels give more latitude to trim a distant subject and still keep detail. Its 1/16000 second shutter, against 1/4000 on the Olympus, lets you shoot fast lenses wide open in bright daylight without a neutral density filter. The Olympus has 81 autofocus points against 49, giving more placement options for off-centre compositions, while the GX8 bursts at 10 fps against 8. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, so native lenses fit either body, plus in-body stabilisation for handheld work and a 2360000-dot electronic viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 20.3 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 | 5184 x 3888 |
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 | 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 | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GX8 is the better pick for large-screen footage, recording 4K video while the E-M10 Mark II tops out at Full HD. That 4K recording also lets you crop and reframe in editing while still delivering a sharp Full HD result. The Olympus reaches 60 fps against 25 fps, giving more room to slow fast action. Both cameras offer built-in timelapse, so you can capture a sunrise or clouds rolling over a landscape without any external intervalometer. | ||
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 | 25 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 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-M10 Mark II has a built-in flash for indoor portraits or fill light, and both accept external flash units. The GX8 has weather sealing, the safer body when rain or dust threatens a landscape day. Its rear screen is an OLED panel, where the Olympus uses an LCD, and both are 3 inches with 1040000 dots and touch control. The two cameras match on shooting conveniences. Both have a flip screen for waist-level or overhead framing and Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. Neither has GPS, so geotagging travel photos needs a phone or an external unit. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | OLED |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life is essentially a match, with the GX8 rated at 330 shots against 320 for the E-M10 Mark II. Each takes its own battery pack, the BLS-50 in the Olympus and the DMW-BLC12 in the Panasonic, so spares do not swap between them. Neither supports charging over USB, so plan on a mains charger or a spare battery. Both cameras use a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, with no second slot for overflow or backup. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | DMW-BLC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 for outdoor work in changeable weather, video for large screens, or heavy cropping of distant subjects. Its weather sealing, 4K recording, 1/16000 second shutter and 20.3 megapixels support that working style.
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II if you mostly shoot stills and value a lighter body, a built-in flash, more autofocus points for off-centre compositions, or slow motion from 60 fps footage. Both share the same lens mount, stabilisation and viewfinder resolution, so your lens collection and handheld technique travel with either choice.