Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III vs Panasonic Lumix G95 / G90 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
65
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix G95 / G90
66
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and the Panasonic Lumix G95 / G90 are 2019 mirrorless cameras on the Micro Four Thirds mount, so every native lens from either brand fits both bodies. The Olympus is the lighter carry at 414 g against 536 g, and its 50 mm body depth packs flatter than the Panasonic's 77 mm. For a travel-light kit, that 122 g saving and slimmer profile are the standout general differences. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2019 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2019 | April 5, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 125 x 85 x 50 mm | 130 x 94 x 77 mm |
| Camera weight | 414 g | 536 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M5 Mark III is the stronger camera for fast action, shooting at up to 30 fps against the G95's 9 fps. Its 121 autofocus points outnumber the Panasonic's 49 for tracking a moving subject. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also offers a shorter exposure than the G95's 1/4000, letting you keep wide apertures in bright light without overexposing. The similarities are useful as well: a shared 20 MP resolution gives both the same latitude for cropping, and each pairs in-body stabilisation with a 2,360,000-dot electronic viewfinder. One difference sits in sensitivity, where the G95's native ISO ceiling of 25600 sits above the Olympus's 6400, though both expand to the same 25600 maximum. | ||
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 | 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. |
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 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slowing fast motion, both cameras reach a 120 fps maximum frame rate, with 4K as the top resolution and timelapse built in on each. The practical difference is workflow: the Olympus writes MPEG-4 and MOV files, while the Panasonic writes MPEG-4 and AVCHD. If your editing suite favours MOV, the Olympus fits that pipeline more directly. | ||
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 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. |
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, AVCHD |
| Features | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G95 is the more convenient camera when you need light immediately, because it has a built-in flash while the Olympus relies on an external unit. Both accept external flash, so a hot-shoe flash or strobe works on either. The Panasonic's rear screen also offers more dots, 1,240,000 against 1,040,000, for finer playback detail on the shared 3-inch tilting touch display. Weather sealing and wireless connectivity are also shared, so both bodies work with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transfer and remote control. Neither camera includes GPS, so geotagging needs a phone or accessory on either system. | ||
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 | Yes |
| 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 | 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 BatteryBoth cameras use a single SD / SDHC / SDXC slot with UHS-II support, so a fast card serves either body and both need one card at a time. Each charges over USB, and the Olympus rates 310 shots per charge against 290 for the Panasonic. The batteries differ, BLS-50 versus DMW-BLC12E, so spares are brand specific. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | DMW-BLC12E |
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 |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E-M5 Mark III if you photograph moving subjects, such as birds in flight, dance, or children's sports, because its 30 fps burst, 121 autofocus points, and 1/8000 second shutter give it clear advantages there. Its lighter, slimmer body also suits long walks and hiking trips.
Choose the G95 if you value an always-ready flash for interiors and fill light, a higher native ISO ceiling, and a slightly more detailed rear screen. Because both share the Micro Four Thirds mount, your lens collection carries over whichever way you decide.