Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5

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Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 II.
Compare Olympus E-M5 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 III
Compare E-M5 II vs E-M5 III

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare OLYMPUS E-M5 III vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 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

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-M5 II test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

908 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
44 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
469g vs 725g
Lighter weight

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

410 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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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Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

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Review Excerpt

Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set
Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe
Read our Olympus E-M5 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 Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GX7

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 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 GX85

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX85

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GX85

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Bluetooth

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Panasonic G9

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic G9

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Thinner

$965
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic G95

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Thinner

$848
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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