• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic G5 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k 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 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.2 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
All G5 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

  • Read our Panasonic G5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-P2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-PL2
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-P3
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Panasonic G6

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic G6
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic G7
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic G5 vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?