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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 51 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 812 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Less shutter lag
    0.11 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.67x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    51 vs 24 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH3
Body Only

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II
Body Only (Black)
All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Panasonic GH3
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G5

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G5
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-M1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GH4
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G7
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?