Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Compare OLYMPUS E-M1 II vs PANASONIC GH5

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic GH4

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
63 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 21 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Olympus E-M1

Less expensive
$800 vs $1099
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in 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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 12-40mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.
Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$900
4/3

Thinner
Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M5

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic G5

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$500
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G5

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$500
4/3

Less expensive

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G7

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GX8

$1099
4/3

Fast startup
On-sensor phase detect

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GX8

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GX8

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