Olympus PEN E-PL5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PL5
51
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5
45
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 are both 2012 mirrorless cameras on the Micro Four Thirds mount, so either body draws on the same lens catalogue. Both use CMOS sensors and offer in-body stabilisation, and neither has a built-in viewfinder, so framing happens on the rear screen. The GF5 is the lighter carry at 267 g against 325 g, measuring 108 x 67 x 37 mm against the E-PL5's 111 x 64 x 38 mm. The GF5 was announced in April 2012, the E-PL5 in September. | ||
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. |
September 17, 2012 | April 5, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 111 x 64 x 38 mm | 108 x 67 x 37 mm |
| Camera weight | 325 g | 267 g |
| Optics | 55/100 | 44/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PL5 is the stronger choice for capturing motion, with 8 fps against the GF5's 4 fps. That doubled rate gives more frames for picking a child's expression or a bird's wing position. Its 35 autofocus points against 23 also spread focus placement across the frame. Resolution favours the E-PL5 for cropping: its 16.1 megapixels give more pixels than the GF5's 12.1 for tightening a distant subject afterwards. Its native ISO reaches 25600 against the GF5's 6400, or 12800 expanded, giving more scope to keep shutter speeds up indoors. Bright daylight favours the GF5's base ISO of 160 over the E-PL5's 200, allowing a wider aperture without overexposing. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 12.1 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 | 4000 x 3000 |
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. |
8 fps045 | 4 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 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 | 64003003280000 |
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. |
20030200 | 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 | 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. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record Full HD video, and both offer a maximum frame rate of 30 fps, enough for casual clips of family events or travel. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. The difference for editors is file handling: the E-PL5 records MOV and AVI files, while the GF5 uses AVCHD and MP4 with two-channel AAC audio. | ||
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 | 30 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 (Audio format AAC 2ch) |
| Features | 49/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-PL5 gives you more freedom over screen angle: its flip screen tilts for waist-level or overhead compositions. The GF5's screen is fixed, so framing is always from directly behind the camera. Both are 3-inch touch panels, so touch-to-focus works on either. The GF5 answers with a sharper display for focus checks: its 920,000 dots double the E-PL5's 460,000. It also has a built-in flash for quick fill on close subjects, while the E-PL5 supports an external flash that suits bounce lighting and portraiture. Neither offers GPS, wireless connectivity 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. |
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 | No |
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 | 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. |
4600001150001500000 | 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 | No |
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 is a similarity: both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so one card serves either camera. The rated battery life also matches at 360 shots per charge. The batteries differ, a BLS-5 for the E-PL5 and a DMW-BLE9E for the GF5, so spares do not transfer. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-5 | DMW-BLE9E |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers, the Olympus PEN E-PL5 is the better pick. Its 8 fps burst and 16.1 megapixels make it the stronger choice for children's sports, street scenes and wildlife needing extra frames and cropping room. The tilting screen suits low-angle work and external flash support enables bounce-lit portraits.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 when light weight and flash convenience lead your needs. It is the lighter body at 267 g, its sharper screen eases focus checks, and the built-in flash covers indoor snapshots. Both share the mount, so your lenses carry across.