• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ100 advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.2 fps vs 8.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ100

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
All E-M5 Deals

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

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Olympus E-M1
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Compared to Sony HX100V

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Sony HX100V
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Sony HX100V

Olympus E-M5
Sony HX100V
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Panasonic G3

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic G3
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Panasonic G3

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

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic FZ47
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs Panasonic FZ47

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic FZ47
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic FZ47

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