Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX850

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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX850

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4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

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

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Panasonic GX850

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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.
PEN-F test data on DxO Mark GX850 test data on DxO Mark

894 vs 586 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer video battery life
80 vs 20 minutes
Capture more video
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

330 vs 210 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/250 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
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 9.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 9.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 17 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger JPEG buffer
114 vs 43 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX850 User Reviews

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Body Only (Silver)

Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

All PEN-F Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

All GX850 Deals

Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GM5

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GF7

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Internal flash

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GX85

$548
4/3

Thinner
Lighter weight

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX850

Olympus E-PL8

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$599
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer video battery life

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL9

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX850

Olympus E-PL9

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Olympus E-PL9

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