• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 51,200

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Panasonic GH5S

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 660g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic GH5S advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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 440 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    11.7 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
    12.5 fps vs 10.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    120 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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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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

  • Excellent video quality; Very good high ISO performance; Cinema 4K & UHD video up to 60p; Full HD up to 240p; 10-bit internal video recording; Tons of features & options for advanced/pro videographers.

  • 10MP resolution is limiting for still photos; No in-body image stabilization; Slower AF than GH5; Buffer clearing could be faster; No 6K Photo features due to sensor resolution.

  • Read our Panasonic GH5S Express 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 GH5S
Panasonic GX7
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5S 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 GH5S
Panasonic GX8
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S 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 GH5S
Panasonic GX85
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GH5
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic GH5
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic GH5

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 GH5S
Panasonic G9
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH5S vs Panasonic G9

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