Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GH4

Cameras
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Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GH4

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-P5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-P5.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-P7
Compare E-P5 vs E-P7

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5

Compare OLYMPUS E-P7 vs PANASONIC GH5

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Differences

Olympus E-P5 advantages over Panasonic GH4

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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-P5 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

895 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
37 mm vs 83 mm
Thinner

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Olympus E-P5

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
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
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

530 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 16 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.8 fps vs 9.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-P5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH4 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 17mm Lens

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Body Only

Review Excerpt

Handsome retro styling; Very good image quality and dynamic range, with competitive high ISO performance; Lightning fast autofocusing; Excellent burst speeds (nearly 10fps at full res); Top shutter speed of 1/8000 second; Sharp, bright 17mm f/1.8 kit lens; 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots of resolution.
Heavier than some mirrorless models; Weak flash; Below average battery life; No built-in viewfinder (but EVF available in a kit or for separate purchase); A bit pricey compared to the similar E-M5, which offers a built-in EVF and weather sealing at about the same price.
Read our Olympus E-P5 Review

Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-P3

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$561
4/3

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-P3

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$561
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M5

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-P5

Panasonic GH3

$1249
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-P5

Panasonic GX7

$1249
4/3

Higher effective ISO
Thinner

$648
4/3

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GX7

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$648
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-P5

Panasonic G7

$1249
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Thinner

$665
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-P5 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$998
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$665
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

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