Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III vs Panasonic Lumix G100 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
65
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix G100
60
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and the Panasonic Lumix G100 are both mirrorless cameras on the Micro Four Thirds format, so either accepts the same native lens range. The Panasonic is the smaller, lighter body at 116 x 83 x 54 mm and 352 g, against 125 x 85 x 50 mm and 414 g for the Olympus. That 62 g saving favours the G100 for a light travel kit, and the Panasonic is the newer body, announced in July 2020 against October 2019 for the Olympus. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2019 | July 24, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 125 x 85 x 50 mm | 116 x 83 x 54 mm |
| Camera weight | 414 g | 352 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 58/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M5 Mark III is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects, offering 30 fps continuous shooting against 10 fps on the G100. Its 121 autofocus points cover composition framing more densely than the G100's 49. For bright light at wide apertures, the Olympus offers a shorter 1/8000 second exposure against 1/4000 on the G100. Cropping room is the same, as both offer 20 megapixels, and both have in-body stabilisation for handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. The G100 offers a higher native ISO ceiling of 25600 against 6400, with both reaching 25600 when expanded. The G100's viewfinder resolves more detail, at 3,680,000 dots against 2,360,000. | ||
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. |
17.4 x 13 | 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. |
30 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 VIII | Unspecified |
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. |
6430200 | 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 | 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 | 368000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlowing fast motion is equally easy on either camera, as both offer frame rates up to 120 fps and record up to 4K. Time-lapse is built in on both, so day-to-night sequences need no external intervalometer. Their MPEG-4 and MOV recordings drop straight into common editing workflows. | ||
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. |
4096 x 2160 | 3840 x 1920 |
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. |
120 fps | 120 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, MOV |
| Features | 83/100 | 72/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing gives the E-M5 Mark III the advantage for shooting in rain or dust, protection the G100 does not offer. The Panasonic answers with a built-in flash, while the Olympus relies on an external unit. Its rear screen is also sharper, at 1,840,000 dots against 1,040,000, which helps when checking focus on playback. Both offer a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out for selfies and rear-screen framing, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control. Neither body has GPS, so geotagging needs a separate solution. | ||
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. |
10400001150001500000 | 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 | 35/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-M5 Mark III carries the higher rated battery life at 310 shots against 270 for the G100. Both take a single SD card, so neither offers a second slot. The Olympus supports faster UHS-II cards, which helps clear the buffer after long bursts, while the Panasonic is limited to UHS-I. Both charge over USB, so a power bank can top either up while travelling. Their batteries differ, BLS-50 in the Olympus and BLG10 in the Panasonic, so spares are not interchangeable. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | BLG10 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
310 shots1505000 | 270 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For wildlife, sports and photography in changeable weather, buy the E-M5 Mark III. Its 30 fps maximum burst, 121 autofocus points, weather sealing and UHS-II support all serve fast action and outdoor work, and its higher rated battery life helps on longer outings.
Choose the G100 for a lighter travel and vlogging camera. Its built-in flash, sharper viewfinder and rear screen suit casual travel and self-framed video where a small kit matters, and its higher native ISO ceiling gives more room to raise sensitivity indoors.