Olympus OM-D E-M1X vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M1X
75
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20.33 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 6K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
73
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M1X and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so any Micro 4/3 lens you already own fits either body. The GH5 II is the newer, lighter option, released in 2021 at 727 g against 997 g for the 2019 E-M1X, a 270 g difference. The E-M1X is also the larger body, 144 x 147 x 75 mm against 139 x 98 x 87 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 24, 2019 | May 25, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 144 x 147 x 75 mm | 139 x 98 x 87 mm |
| Camera weight | 997 g | 727 g |
| Optics | 70/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M1X is the clear choice for photographing fast action, with a 60 fps burst rate against 12 fps on the GH5 II. That speed gives you far more chances at a peak moment, such as a bird taking off or a sprinter striking the tape. For framing, the GH5 II has the advantage: its electronic viewfinder resolves 3,680,000 dots against 2,360,000 on the E-M1X, and it offers 225 autofocus points against 121. Its maximum shutter is also shorter, 1/16000 second against 1/8000, helpful for wide apertures in bright light. Both cameras offer in-body stabilisation, and resolution is nearly matched at 20.33 versus 20 megapixels. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20.33 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 | 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. |
60 fps045 | 12 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. |
Dual 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 | 10030200 |
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. |
6430200 | 5030200 |
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. |
800080032000 | 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. |
1210300 | 2250300 |
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 | 368000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GH5 II is the stronger choice for video editing, recording at up to 6K while the E-M1X tops out at 4K. The extra resolution gives room to crop and reframe footage in post. Frame-rate limits differ too: the GH5 II reaches 30 fps, the E-M1X 60 fps, which suits smoother motion with fast-moving subjects. Both offer built-in timelapse recording. | ||
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 |  6K |
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. |
4096 x 2160 | 4992 x 3774 |
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. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MOV, MP4 |
| Features | 83/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-M1X is the better field companion for geotagging wildlife or travel locations, with built-in GPS that the GH5 II lacks. It also has a built-in flash for quick fill light, whereas the GH5 II supports an external flash instead. The GH5 II's rear screen shows more detail when you review focus or read menus, with 1,840,000 dots against 1,037,000 on the E-M1X, both at three inches. Both offer weather sealing, a flip-out touch screen, and Wi-Fi with Bluetooth for transfer and remote control. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT 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. |
10370001150001500000 | 18400001150001500000 |
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 | 84/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-M1X holds the endurance advantage for long shooting days, rated at 870 shots from its two BLH-1 batteries against 400 shots from the GH5 II's DMW-BLK22. That larger rating gives useful headroom for long field sessions. Card arrangements match: both cameras have dual SD slots that accept UHS-II SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, so the same fast cards work in either body. Both support USB charging between sessions. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLH-1 (2 required) | DMW-BLK22 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
870 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-M1X for fast-action stills: its 60 fps burst, built-in GPS and 870-shot rating suit wildlife, sports and long field sessions. Choose the GH5 II for video-first work or a lighter kit: 6K recording, a higher-resolution viewfinder and screen, and 270 g less weight favour travel and handheld use. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, weather sealing and dual UHS-II card slots, so lenses and cards carry across.