Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GM1

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Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GM1

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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
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM1 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM1.
Compare Panasonic GM1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM1 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic GM5
Compare GM1 vs GM5

Compare OLYMPUS E-M1 II vs PANASONIC GM5

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic GM1

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M1 test data on DxO Mark GM1 test data on DxO Mark

757 vs 660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

350 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/320 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
50 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Olympus E-M1

Less expensive
$750 vs $1300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
30 mm vs 63 mm
Thinner
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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GM1 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 12-40mm Lens

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Kit with 12-32mm 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

Large Four Thirds sensor is impressive for a camera this small; Shares sensor and processor of GX7; Excellent image quality with class-leading high ISO performance; Responsive all-around performer; AF system is fast and accurate; Easy to use and responsive touchscreen; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Lightweight and pocketable design makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Can be awkward to use with larger lenses; Rear dial is easy to accidentally press; Lacks a hot-shoe for EVF or external flash; Weak built-in flash; 1/50s flash sync; No 1080p60 video; No external headphone jack or mic input.
Read our Panasonic GM1 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 GM1

Olympus E-M5

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Olympus E-M5

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 GM1

Panasonic GH3

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

$898
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GH4

$479
4/3

Thinner
Faster shutter

$898
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GM5

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GF7

$1099
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7

$479
4/3

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

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