OM System OM-5 vs Panasonic Lumix G100 — Which Is Better?

The OM System OM-5 and the Panasonic Lumix G100 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, so either body draws on the same native lens catalogue. The OM-5 arrived in 2022, two years after the G100, and both use electronic viewfinders.

The measurements favour the G100 for compact carrying: it measures 116 x 83 x 54 mm and weighs 352 g, while the OM-5 measures 125 x 85 x 50 mm and weighs 414 g, a difference of 62 g.

The OM-5 is the stronger choice for fast-moving subjects, with 121 autofocus points against 49 on the G100 and a maximum burst of 30 fps versus 10 fps. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed also allows wider apertures in bright daylight, where the G100 tops out at 1/4000 second.

Resolution is a shared strength: both deliver 20 MP images from a Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor, and both span a native ISO range of 200 to 25600. The G100's electronic viewfinder offers 3,680,000 dots against 2,360,000 on the OM-5, giving a finer view for composing detailed scenes.

Slow motion is a shared capability: both support a maximum video frame rate of 120 fps, plenty of room to slow a tennis serve or a bird taking off. Both also record 4K video, and both include built-in timelapse, so day-to-night sequences need no external intervalometer.

Their video file formats differ: the OM-5 records H.264 alongside MPEG-4 and MOV, while the G100 records MPEG-4 and MOV. That extra H.264 option gives editors a widely compatible codec straight from the card.

Weather sealing is the OM-5's standout practical advantage, suiting it to landscape shoots and hiking trips where the forecast may turn. The G100 has no sealing, so it asks for more care in damp or dusty conditions.

The G100 answers with a built-in flash for fill light on faces at parties or indoors, which the OM-5 lacks, though both accept external flash units. Its rear screen also shows 1,840,000 dots against 1,040,000 on the OM-5, and both cameras share a 3-inch flip-out touch screen plus WiFi and Bluetooth. Neither body has GPS for geotagging travel photos.

The OM-5's battery is rated at 310 shots against 270 for the G100, a 40-shot advantage that gives more headroom on a long day of stills shooting. Its UHS-II card support also accepts faster SD cards than the G100's UHS-I slot, useful when a day mixes burst sequences and 4K clips.

Storage and charging arrangements are otherwise shared territory: both use a single SD-type slot and both charge over USB, so topping up from a power bank works on either body.