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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Panasonic GH1

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    908 vs 772 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    10 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 930g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.34 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 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
  • 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 Panasonic GH1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 II
Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Black)
All E-M5 II Deals

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

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic G2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G2

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic G2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GH2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic GH2

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GH2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GH2

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M5 II
Olympus E-M5
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GX7
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GX85
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs 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

Compare Other Cameras?