Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G7

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G7

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7.
Compare Panasonic G7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 II
Compare E-M1 vs E-M1 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic G85
Compare G7 vs G85

Compare OLYMPUS E-M1 II vs PANASONIC G85

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Panasonic G7

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Higher max flash sync
1/320 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
9.9 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.9 fps vs 6.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 16 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Panasonic G7 advantages over Olympus E-M1

Less expensive
$498 vs $1099*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
240 vs 50 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-40mm Lens

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Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)

Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)

Review Excerpt

Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.
Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag
Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range
Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

$900
4/3

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M5

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic G5

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G5

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$550
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G5

Panasonic G7

Panasonic G5

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$550
4/3

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH3

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic G6

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G6

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7

Panasonic G6

$498
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Faster JPEG shooting

$399
4/3

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$898
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic GH4

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