Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M5
55
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G5
47
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 are mirrorless cameras from 2012. The E-M5 was announced in February and measures 122 x 89 x 43 mm at 425 g, while the G5 followed in July at 120 x 83 x 71 mm and 396 g. The G5 is 29 g lighter but deeper, at 71 mm against the E-M5's 43 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 8, 2012 | July 18, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 89 x 43 mm | 120 x 83 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 425 g | 396 g |
| Optics | 54/100 | 46/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M5 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim light and for tracking fast subjects. It offers in-body stabilisation, which the G5 lacks, so unstabilised primes and older lenses stay sharper at slow shutter speeds. Its 9 fps continuous rate outpaces the G5's 6 fps, and its 35 autofocus points give more placement options than the G5's 23. Both cameras use a CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor, and resolution differs by only 0.05 megapixels, 16.1 against 16.05, so print and crop sizes land in the same class. Each camera carries the same 1.44-million-dot electronic viewfinder. The shared Micro 4/3 mount lets one lens collection serve either body. The E-M5's standard ISO range reaches 25600, double the G5's 12800, for extra headroom when light drops. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16.05 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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. |
9 fps045 | 6 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 VI | Venus Engine VII FHD |
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 | 16030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 16030200 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 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. |
350300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | No |
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 | 144000009900000 | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G5 is the better pick for slow-motion editing, with a 60 fps maximum frame rate against the E-M5's 30 fps. That doubled rate lets footage be slowed to half speed while staying smooth, which suits children's sports and fast city movement. Both cap resolution at Full HD, and the G5 writes AVCHD and MP4 while the E-M5 uses MOV and AVI. | ||
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 | Full HD |
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 | 1920 x 1080 |
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. |
30 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 65/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing gives the E-M5 the edge for drizzle-soaked landscapes and unpredictable travel weather, and the G5 offers none. Neither camera includes GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The G5 answers with convenience features for everyday shooting. It has a built-in flash for quick indoor fill, which the E-M5 omits, and its 920,000-dot TFT LCD resolves more detail than the E-M5's 610,000-dot OLED for reviewing focus. Both offer a 3-inch tilting touchscreen, live view and an external flash shoe, so low-angle framing and accessory lighting work on either camera. | ||
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 | OLED | 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. |
6100001150001500000 | 9200001150001500000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage and power nearly match. Both cameras write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither supports USB charging. The G5's DMW-BLC12 battery is rated at 320 shots against 310 for the E-M5's BLN-1, a 10-shot difference. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | DMW-BLC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
310 shots1505000 | 320 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 if stills come first. Its in-body stabilisation, weather sealing, 9 fps burst and wider 35-point autofocus spread make it the better tool for handheld low-light work, hiking in poor weather, and photographing moving subjects like dancers or pets. The higher ISO ceiling adds room when the light keeps falling.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 if video matters or you want a lighter carry with a flash always ready. Its 60 fps maximum frame rate, built-in flash and higher-resolution 920,000-dot screen serve family clips, casual indoor shots and travel use well. Photographers who mostly shoot unstabilised lenses in dim conditions get more from the E-M5.