Olympus PEN E-PL7 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus PEN E-PL7
54
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
48
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus PEN E-PL7 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 are both 2014 mirrorless cameras built on the Micro Four Thirds mount, so they share one native lens catalogue. The GM5 is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 99 x 60 x 36 mm and 211 g against 115 x 67 x 38 mm and 357 g for the E-PL7. It slips into a jacket pocket more easily. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 28, 2014 | September 15, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 67 x 38 mm | 99 x 60 x 36 mm |
| Camera weight | 357 g | 211 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-PL7 is the better choice for handheld shooting in dim light because it has in-body image stabilisation, which the GM5 lacks. Every unstabilised lens you mount on the E-PL7 gains steadier framing, so indoor candid portraits and evening street scenes stay usable at slower shutter speeds. The GM5 is the better body for bright daylight. It has a built-in electronic viewfinder of 1,166,000 dots where the E-PL7 offers none, and its 1/16000 second maximum shutter against 1/4000 keeps wide apertures usable in strong sun. The E-PL7 answers for motion with 81 autofocus points and 8 fps bursts against 23 points and 5.8 fps. Resolution differs by just 0.1 megapixels, 16.1 against 16. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16 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 | 4592 x 3448 |
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 | 5.8 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 VII | Venus Engine |
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 | 20030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 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 | 1600080032000 |
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. |
810300 | 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 | 116600009900000 |
| Video | 57/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe GM5 is the stronger pick for slow motion. Its highest video frame rate reaches 60 fps against 30 fps on the E-PL7, enough to slow a dancer's spin or a skateboard trick to half speed on a 30 fps timeline. Full HD is the shared resolution ceiling, and both cameras shoot built-in timelapse sequences, handy for sunsets or a busy street. The clips arrive in different formats, MOV and AVI from the E-PL7 against MP4 and AVCHD from the GM5. | ||
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 | Yes |
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 | MP4, AVCHD |
| Features | 57/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E-PL7's flip screen makes it the better camera for low-angle flowers, waist-level street shots and self-portraits, all beyond the GM5's fixed display. Its rear screen is also finer, with 1,037,000 dots against 921,000 on the GM5. Wi-Fi on both cameras sends images straight to a phone. Each pairs a 3-inch touch LCD with live view and external flash support, and neither includes a built-in flash, GPS 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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. |
10370001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-PL7 holds the endurance advantage, rated for 350 shots per charge against 220 for the GM5. Each camera runs on its own pack, the BLS-50 in the E-PL7 and the DMW-BLH7 in the GM5, so spare batteries are not interchangeable. Storage is a shared arrangement. Both cameras write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card slot, and neither offers USB charging, so each requires its own external charger. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | DMW-BLH7 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
350 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers, the Olympus PEN E-PL7 is the more capable choice. Its stabilisation, flip screen, 81-point autofocus coverage and 8 fps bursts make it the better tool for handheld indoor portraits, low-angle compositions and children or pets in motion.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 when pocketability and bright-light framing matter most. Its 211 g body is the lighter carry. The built-in electronic viewfinder and 60 fps maximum video frame rate make it a strong second body for travel and slow-motion clips.