• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH2 advantages over Olympus E-P5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 34 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Olympus E-P5 advantages over Panasonic GH2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    895 vs 655 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/320 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    545g vs 942g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    16 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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-P5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 17mm Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Handsome retro styling; Very good image quality and dynamic range, with competitive high ISO performance; Lightning fast autofocusing; Excellent burst speeds (nearly 10fps at full res); Top shutter speed of 1/8000 second; Sharp, bright 17mm f/1.8 kit lens; 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots of resolution.

  • Heavier than some mirrorless models; Weak flash; Below average battery life; No built-in viewfinder (but EVF available in a kit or for separate purchase); A bit pricey compared to the similar E-M5, which offers a built-in EVF and weather sealing at about the same price.

  • Read our Olympus E-P5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH1

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

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic GH1

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GH1
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GH1

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic G2
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic G2

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic G2
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH2
Olympus E-M5
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Olympus E-M5

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

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic G5
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic G5

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic G5
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic GX7
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-P5
Panasonic GX7
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GX7

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