• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon G12 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Canon G12

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.08 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    22.8 vs 20.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    826 vs 161 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.66 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5

Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon G12
Olympus E-M1
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon G10

Canon G12
Canon G10
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Manual focus
Olympus E-M5
Canon G10
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Canon G11

Canon G12
Canon G11
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
Olympus E-M5
Canon G11
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $577
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Nikon P7000

Canon G12
Nikon P7000
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
Olympus E-M5
Nikon P7000
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Panasonic G3

Canon G12
Panasonic G3
  • $854
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
Compare Other Cameras?