Panasonic GM1 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Cameras
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Panasonic GM1 vs Olympus E-M5 II

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GM1 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GM1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GM1.
Compare Panasonic GM1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GM1 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 II.
Compare Olympus E-M5 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GM5
Compare GM1 vs GM5

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 III
Compare E-M5 II vs E-M5 III

Compare PANASONIC GM5 vs OLYMPUS E-M5 III

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Differences

Panasonic GM1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
30 mm vs 44 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Panasonic GM1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark GM1 test data on DxO Mark

908 vs 660 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

310 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger JPEG buffer
18 vs 10 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
13 vs 7 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

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

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Read GM1 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Kit with 12-32mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Large Four Thirds sensor is impressive for a camera this small; Shares sensor and processor of GX7; Excellent image quality with class-leading high ISO performance; Responsive all-around performer; AF system is fast and accurate; Easy to use and responsive touchscreen; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Lightweight and pocketable design makes it easy to carry everywhere.
Can be awkward to use with larger lenses; Rear dial is easy to accidentally press; Lacks a hot-shoe for EVF or external flash; Weak built-in flash; 1/50s flash sync; No 1080p60 video; No external headphone jack or mic input.
Read our Panasonic GM1 Review

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 Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GM1

Olympus E-PL6

$479
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus E-PL6

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$299
4/3

Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GX7

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Thinner

$648
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 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 GM5

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GM5

$479
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GM5

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GM5

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GF7

$479
4/3

$590
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GF7

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$590
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GM1

Panasonic GX85

$479
4/3

Thinner
Lighter weight

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GM1 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

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