Olympus OM-D E-M5 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-M5 Mark II
59
WINNER
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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 Panasonic Lumix GX85 (GX80) is the smaller and lighter carry of this mirrorless pair, measuring 122 x 71 x 44 mm and weighing 426 g, against 124 x 85 x 45 mm and 469 g for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II. The Olympus shipped in 2015, the Panasonic in 2016. | ||
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. |
February 5, 2015 | April 5, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 124 x 85 x 45 mm | 122 x 71 x 44 mm |
| Camera weight | 469 g | 426 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 55/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsBoth cameras share the Micro 4/3 mount, so any lens from either system fits either body directly. Both also offer in-body stabilisation, steadying handheld shots at slower shutter speeds with any mounted lens. Resolution sits within a tenth of a megapixel, 16.1 MP on the Olympus against 16 MP on the Panasonic, so neither gains useful crop headroom over the other. The GX85's electronic viewfinder shows 404,800 more dots, 2,764,800 against 2,360,000, making fine detail easier to judge while framing. The E-M5 Mark II is the better tool for fast subjects, shooting 10 frames per second against the GX85's 8. Its 81 autofocus points cover more of the frame than the GX85's 49 for tracking off-centre action. The Panasonic's 1/16000 second limit, twice as short as the Olympus's 1/8000, keeps wide apertures usable in bright sunlight. | ||
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. |
10 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. |
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. |
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 ComparisonVideoThe GX85 is the clear video choice, recording 4K while the E-M5 Mark II stops at Full HD. That resolution gives you room to crop or reframe footage in editing and suits modern 4K displays. Frame rate is a shared strength, with both cameras reaching 60 fps for smooth motion, and both offer a built-in timelapse mode. File formats differ: the Panasonic records MP4 and AVCHD, the Olympus MOV and AVI, worth checking against your editing workflow. | ||
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. |
MOV, AVI | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 70/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the headline split: the E-M5 Mark II is sealed against dust and moisture, while the GX85 is not, making the Olympus the safer companion for rain-soaked landscapes and coastal shoots. The GX85 carries a built-in flash for instant fill light, where the Olympus needs an external unit. The rear screens match at 3 inches with touch control and a tilting design, plus Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. Neither offers GPS or Bluetooth, and both accept an external flash. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  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. |
 Yes | No |
| 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. |
10370001150001500000 | 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 is easier to keep powered on the road, supporting USB charging from a laptop or power bank, while the E-M5 Mark II does not. Their batteries differ: a DMW-BLG10 rated at 290 shots for the Panasonic against a BLN-1 rated at 310 for the Olympus. Storage matches: each body takes one SD, SDHC or SDXC card, with no second slot on either. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | DMW-BLG10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
310 shots1505000 | 290 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix GX85 if video matters to your work: 4K recording, USB charging and the lighter 426 g body suit travel and hybrid shooting. Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II for outdoor stills, where weather sealing, the 10 fps burst and 81 autofocus points earn their keep on wet trails and moving subjects. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount and in-body stabilisation, so your lens collection carries over either way.