Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
63
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9
62
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so every Micro 4/3 lens fits either body. The Olympus arrived in 2020, two years after the Panasonic. Weight favours the Olympus for travel and daily walks, at 383 g against 450 g for the GX9. Their sizes stay close, at 122 x 84 x 49 mm and 124 x 72 x 47 mm respectively. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 4, 2020 | February 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 84 x 49 mm | 124 x 72 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 383 g | 450 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M10 Mark IV is the stronger choice for action, with 15 fps continuous shooting against 9 fps on the GX9. Its 121 autofocus points, against 49, give more positions for tracking a running child or a bird in flight. Both offer in-body stabilisation, steadying handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. Resolution is shared, so cropping room for distant subjects is the same on each 20 MP CMOS sensor. The GX9's electronic viewfinder shows more detail at 2,760,000 dots against 2,360,000, and its standard maximum ISO reaches 25,600 against 6,400 on the Olympus. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 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 17.4 | 17.3 x 13 |
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. |
15 fps045 | 9 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 VIII | 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. |
64003003280000 | 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. |
8030200 | 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 | 400080032000 |
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. |
1210300 | 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 | 276000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras serve casual filmmaking, offering a maximum video resolution of 4K and a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. Each includes a built-in timelapse function for condensing a sunset or drifting clouds into a short clip. The GX9 adds an AVCHD recording option to the MPEG-4 and MOV formats both share, so archives or workflows built around AVCHD favour the Panasonic. | ||
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. |
 4K | 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. |
3840 x 2160 | 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. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, AVCHD, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GX9's screen shows more detail when reviewing shots, at 1,240,000 dots against 1,040,000 on the Olympus. Both 3-inch TFT LCD screens offer touch control and tilt for waist-level and overhead framing. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both support photo transfer and remote control from a phone. Both cameras include a built-in flash plus an external flash shoe, while neither offers GPS for automatic geotagging or weather sealing against rain. | ||
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 | TFT LCD | TFT 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 | 12400001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Olympus holds the longer battery rating at 360 shots against 260 on the GX9, an advantage for a full day of sightseeing. Both support USB charging, so a power bank tops up either camera. Card speed favours the Olympus, which accepts UHS-II SD cards while the GX9 supports up to UHS-I, so burst sequences clear faster. Both have a single card slot, so neither offers a backup card. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is the stronger choice. Its 15 fps burst and 121 autofocus points suit children's sports and wildlife, its 360-shot battery rating favours long days out, and UHS-II card support clears bursts faster.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 if the view matters more. Its 2,760,000-dot electronic viewfinder and 1,240,000-dot screen show finer detail, and it records AVCHD for workflows built around that format. Both offer 20 MP resolution, in-body stabilisation, 4K video and the full Micro Four Thirds lens range.