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

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Differences

Panasonic GM5 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    294g vs 487g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Panasonic GM5

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $899 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 64 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/50 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality for a tiny camera; Excellent high ISO for its class; Built-in EVF; Built-in hot-shoe; Improved ergonomics; Improved image quality for long exposures; Improved burst rate with hybrid shutter; 1080/60p video.

  • Slightly bigger than GM1 (but not by much); No built-in flash; Shallow buffers with RAW files; Dynamic range not quite as good as some competing models; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Panasonic GM5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GM1
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GM1

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GM1
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GF7
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Hot shoe
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF7
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX85
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5
Panasonic GX850
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Panasonic GX850

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX850
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer video battery life
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GX850

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GM5
Olympus E-PL9
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lighter weight
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM5 vs Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PL9

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