• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Less expensive
    $899* vs $1298
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 807 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer video battery life
    90 vs 55 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 11.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 11.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 51 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GH5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Filmmaking Kit
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

  • 20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.

  • Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Panasonic GH5
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G7
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic GX8
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G85
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G85

Compared to Panasonic G9

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G9
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Top deck display

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compare Other Cameras?