• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH2 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Panasonic GH2

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Higher effective ISO
    894 vs 655 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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

  • 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

  • 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

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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

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 PEN-F
Panasonic GH1
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus PEN-F 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 PEN-F
Panasonic G2
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic G2

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 PEN-F
Panasonic G5
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH2
Panasonic GX85
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs 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

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GH2
Olympus E-PL8
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH2 vs 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

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