Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80) — 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
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80)
54
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II (2015) and the Panasonic Lumix GX85 (2016) are compact Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras with built-in electronic viewfinders. Both use the Micro 4/3 mount, so any Micro Four Thirds lens fits either body without an adapter. The GX85 is the heavier body at 426 g against 390 g, while the E-M10 Mark II stands slightly taller at 83 mm versus 71 mm. Both fit the same small bag. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 25, 2015 | April 5, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 120 x 83 x 47 mm | 122 x 71 x 44 mm |
| Camera weight | 390 g | 426 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Panasonic GX85 is the better pick for shooting wide open in strong daylight, because its shutter reaches 1/16000 second against 1/4000 on the E-M10 Mark II. That shorter exposure keeps depth of field shallow without an ND filter. Its denser viewfinder, 2,764,800 dots against 2,360,000, gives a crisper framing view. The Olympus is the stronger choice for off-centre subjects, with 81 autofocus points against 49 on the GX85. The remaining core optics largely match. Both use Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensors at almost the same resolution, 16.1 versus 16 megapixels, and both shoot at 8 fps. Each offers in-body stabilisation for handheld work in dim interiors. | ||
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 | 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 | 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 | 276480009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor video, the GX85 is the clear choice, recording 4K while the E-M10 Mark II tops out at Full HD. The extra resolution gives room to crop and stabilise family clips or travel vlogs in editing. The GX85 also records in MP4 and AVCHD, while the E-M10 Mark II writes avi files. Each records at up to 60 fps and has a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences, enough for smooth motion in everyday footage. | ||
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 | 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 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesScreen and wireless features match, giving both cameras the same framing and sharing tools. Each has a tilting 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1,040,000 dots for waist-level and overhead shooting, plus Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. Both also include a built-in flash and support external flash units. Neither camera has GPS for location tagging, Bluetooth or weather sealing, so plan on geotagging through a phone app and protecting the body in rain or dust. | ||
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 | 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 | 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 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GX85 charges over USB, so a power bank can top up its DMW-BLG10 battery on the road, while the E-M10 Mark II requires a dedicated charger for its BLS-50 battery. The Olympus holds the edge in rated endurance, with 320 shots against 290 for the Panasonic. Both take the same SD, SDHC or SDXC cards, but neither offers a second slot for backup or overflow. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | DMW-BLG10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
320 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix GX85 if you film anything at all. Its 4K recording, MP4 files and USB charging make it the stronger hybrid for travel and family video, and its 1/16000 shutter suits wide-aperture daylight portraits.
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II for stills. Its 81 autofocus points give more compositional freedom with moving subjects like children or street scenes, and its 320-shot rated endurance helps on long days out. The shared sensor format, 8 fps burst and in-body stabilisation apply to both, and the shared Micro 4/3 mount takes the same lenses.