Thread: Olympus OM-D EM-5 vs. Panasonic GX1

Has anyone seen any reviews that compare these two cameras? They look like the best two m4/3rds to me. Which one is better?

Well, the EM5 doesn't exist yet, so no, not specifically. And I wouldn't necessarily agree that they're the "best two m4/3rds". The EM5 will quantitatively be the best Olympus when it hits the streets (although not the best for everyone). But the GX1 is nearly identical to the G3 except that the G3 has an articulating screen and built-in EVF and, for now at least, costs a good deal less. They jpeg engines are a bit different, but very similar. And a lot of people prefer the GH2 to either, both because of its more extensive controls and its sensor which is both multi-aspect and allows for a lower base ISO which seems pretty important to some folks. When the EM5 hits the streets, a lot of Olympus people (myself most definitely included!) will be very excited about it because it combines a lot of the Oly-specific strengths and features we've liked for a long time with a better sensor than has showed up in an Oly camera before, and some additional features that raise the bar. For ME, I expect the EM5 to be the best m43 camera. But there are a lot of Pany users out there who would argue that Olympus is just getting in the game with the EM5 and would still argue in favor of the G3, GH2, or GX1 for a lot of perfectly valid reasons.

Nobody's ever been able to agree on "the best" m43 camera before now - I don't see any reason to expect that to change just because Olympus releases another great camera! And I'm sure Pany will come out with a GH3 or something within the next several months and change the whole comparison again. I think the key point is that there are enough really good m43 bodies available now to suit just about any taste, from the P&S upgrader to the DSLR user looking to reduce system size and weight. And there are a host of really decent native lenses available for any taste now too. Its really matured into a hell of a system and its only going to get better.

-Ray

I don't recall where I saw it, but in one case the Olympus was said to have a slight advantage. But of course they are different cameras, the Olympus having the built-in EVF. The OM-D sensor is a new design.

Originally Posted by Andrewteee

The OM-D sensor is a new design.

Its a new design in the sense that its new to Olympus - that we KNOW. Beyond that, there's only an amazing amount of speculation about what it is, who made it, how good it will be, etc. Some believe its the same sensor as the one in the G3 and GX1. Others believe its from someone other than Panasonic and is considerably better. It appears it will be better at high ISO than anything Olympus has shown to date, but whether its better than the current Pany sensor, we don't know. It may BE the current Pany sensor, with Oly's own processing engine. Or not. Speculation has ranged from a new flagship sensor from Pany to an alliance with Fuji or Sony or Kodak or possibly some other folks. Anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's...

-Ray

If the PL25 starts rattlesnaking on the OMD, then it will NOT be the best m4/3 camera for me!

Keeping my fingers crossed ...

Originally Posted by Ray

Its a new design in the sense that its new to Olympus - that we KNOW. Beyond that, there's only an amazing amount of speculation about what it is, who made it, how good it will be, etc. Some believe its the same sensor as the one in the G3 and GX1. Others believe its from someone other than Panasonic and is considerably better. It appears it will be better at high ISO than anything Olympus has shown to date, but whether its better than the current Pany sensor, we don't know. It may BE the current Pany sensor, with Oly's own processing engine. Or not. Speculation has ranged from a new flagship sensor from Pany to an alliance with Fuji or Sony or Kodak or possibly some other folks. Anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's...

-Ray

All the sensor speculation is enough to drive a person crazy (on other, lesser forums, of course, not mu-43 or here). I have an OM-D preorder in on the expectation that I will get a sensor as good as the one in the GX1/G3, a slightly more quiet shutter, a tilt screen, built-in viewfinder, lots of manual control, and a somewhat improved IBIS (already think it is pretty good in my E-P3). If they are using a newer Panasonic or other company's sensor design that does even better than the GX1, than it would be icing on the cake for me. But... I am secretly hoping it will match the GH2's DR at base ISO.

Originally Posted by Armanius

If the PL25 starts rattlesnaking on the OMD, then it will NOT be the best m4/3 camera for me!

Keeping my fingers crossed ...

Yes, that is on my wish list as well! I still can't figure out why it was quiet on my E-P2 and then scared off horses in nearby counties when on my P3.

Hi, I did a little hands-on comparison of the E-M5 and the GX1 on my blog:

Olympus OM-D E-M5 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 | Fotograf Stockholm - Petter Magnusson - Blogg

Rgds
Petter

I also did some testing with both cameras. My testing is more personal and about use, not techie stuff. Both are just great cameras. That being said, the form factor takes 1st place in the decision between the 2.
I don't like EVF's. So the decision was easy for me. The GX1 is a killer camera that after more than a year, has me back in m43 land.

I will not speak badly about either but will say that the GX1 is my preference for a street camera. The IQ is almost frightening. This goes for both. If you don't think the DSLR crowd is nervous, your sadly mistaken. These 2 cameras have created a new benchmark in the m43 arena and maybe beyond.

By the way, I have an excellent copy of the 14-42PZ. Nice lens if you like zooms, I don't but it's nice. The 20 makes the camera.
What I found was that the OMD has maybe a 1 1/2 stop advantage in low light. We're talking from maybe 3200 up. That is a big spread up there but does not mean the GX1 doesn't perform, it does.

So really what we have is....a very educated user group of all genre's and levels of commitment. These two cameras meet the needs of most and the real difference is mainly in the form factor. We all know what lenses to use. We just have to decide how we need a camera to compliment our vision.

PS, my daughter prefers the Oly...

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review: Digital Photography Review