• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    618 vs 487 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.6 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 482g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Panasonic GF5

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-P2
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL2
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More dynamic range
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-P3
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PM1
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Lighter weight
Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
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