Olympus PEN E-PL5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 — Which Is Better?

The Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC G5 are both 2012 mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds format, so they draw on the same native lens library. Each has a CMOS sensor of essentially the same resolution, 16.1 MP on the Olympus and 16.05 MP on the Panasonic, which is enough detail for prints and generous cropping on either body.

Their body designs differ in a way that matters to how you shoot. The E-PL5 measures 111 x 64 x 38 mm and weighs 325 g, while the G5 is larger at 120 x 83 x 71 mm and 396 g, so the Olympus is the easier of the two to slip into a small bag or a coat pocket. The Panasonic's extra bulk buys a built-in electronic viewfinder that the Olympus lacks.

The E-PL5 is the better choice for handheld shooting in dim interiors or evening streets, because it offers in-body stabilisation and the G5 does not. Its ISO range also extends to 25600 against 12800 on the G5, giving more flexibility when light falls. Both share the same 1/4000 second maximum shutter and the Micro 4/3 mount.

The Olympus is also the stronger pick for moving subjects such as children or pets, with an 8 fps burst rate and 35 autofocus points against 6 fps and 23 points on the G5. The Panasonic starts lower at ISO 160, which helps in bright light when you want wider apertures. Framing differs too: the G5 carries a 1,440,000-dot electronic viewfinder, while the E-PL5 relies on its rear screen alone.

The Panasonic is the better pick for motion footage, with a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the E-PL5. Those extra frames give smoother playback of fast action such as sports or dancing, and more source frames for slow-motion editing.

A similarity caps the resolution: both record to Full HD as their maximum, so neither offers 4K. The G5 saves clips in AVCHD or MP4, while the E-PL5 writes MOV or AVI, so your editing workflow may favour one set of formats over the other.

The G5's rear screen is the clearer of the two for checking focus and reviewing shots outdoors, with 920,000 dots against 460,000 on the E-PL5. It also carries a built-in flash for quick fill light at family gatherings, while the Olympus requires an external unit for that job.

Both offer the same 3-inch touch screen that flips out for waist-level or self-framed shots, plus live view. Neither includes GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so image transfer and geotagging need separate solutions on either camera.

Storage is a similarity: both take the same SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so one card pool serves either camera and neither offers backup or overflow options.

The E-PL5's BLS-5 battery is rated for 360 shots against 320 for the G5's DMW-BLC12, a modest edge for longer outings under the cameras' own test conditions. Neither charges over USB, so a mains or external charger goes in the bag for both.