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

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 360 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.67x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.8 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.8 fps vs 9.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 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-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GH3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 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 Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-P5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-P5

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-P5
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-P5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GX7
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GX7

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