Olympus PEN E-P5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-P5
53
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-P5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G6 are both 2013 mirrorless cameras for the Micro Four Thirds system, so any Micro 4/3 lens fits either body. The E-P5 is the slimmer body at 122 x 69 x 37 mm and 420 g. The G6 is taller and deeper at 122 x 85 x 71 mm, weighs 30 g less at 390 g, and carries a built-in electronic viewfinder the E-P5 lacks. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2013 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 10, 2013 | April 24, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 122 x 69 x 37 mm | 122 x 85 x 71 mm |
| Camera weight | 420 g | 390 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-P5 is the stronger choice for fast action. Its 1/8000 second shutter gives half the exposure time of the G6's 1/4000 second, keeping wide apertures usable in bright light. It shoots at 9 fps against 7 fps, with 35 autofocus points rather than 23 for freer off-centre focus. The E-P5 offers in-body stabilisation, which steadies handheld shots with any mounted lens, while the G6 has none, so handheld steadiness depends on the lens. The E-P5's native ISO ceiling reaches 25600 ISO against the G6's 12800 ISO, and both extend to 25600 ISO. Resolution is a near tie at 16.1 MP against 16.05 MP. | ||
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 | 7 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 IX |
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 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 12044080 |
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. |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G6 is the better pick for video that needs fluid motion. Both cap recording at Full HD, but the G6 reaches 60 fps while the E-P5 stops at 30 fps, twice the rate for smooth motion and slow-motion playback. The G6 records AVCHD and MP4 files, the E-P5 MOV and AVI. The E-P5 counters with a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences, which the G6 lacks, so no external remote is needed. | ||
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. |
 Yes | No |
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 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe articulating screen makes the G6 the more flexible camera for framing. Its LCD flips out for waist-level and overhead angles, while the E-P5's fixed screen keeps you composing on a flat panel. Both use 3 inch touch LCDs for focus and menu control. The G6 also has a built-in electronic viewfinder, while the E-P5 relies on its rear screen. Both offer WiFi transfer, a built-in flash and external flash support. Neither has GPS, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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. |
10368001150001500000 | 10360001150001500000 |
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. |
No |  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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, with no dual-slot backup on either body. The batteries differ, with a BLN-2 pack in the E-P5 and a DMW-BLC12 in the G6, so spares are not interchangeable. The rated figures are close, with the G6 at 340 shots against 330 for the E-P5 under their test conditions. Neither charges over USB, so pack a mains charger for trips. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-2 | DMW-BLC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
330 shots1505000 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the E-P5 if handheld stills are the priority. In-body stabilisation steadies any lens you mount, and the 1/8000 second shutter with 9 fps burst suits fast daylight subjects like sports or running children. The built-in interval timer adds timelapse without extra gear.
Pick the G6 for moving video and unusual shooting angles. Its 60 fps frame-rate ceiling doubles the E-P5's 30 fps for smooth action and slow motion, and its articulating screen and built-in viewfinder ease framing for street and travel use. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, so either slots into a Micro Four Thirds kit.