• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Panasonic GH5 II

  • Less expensive
    $999* vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Longer video battery life
    80 vs 60 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    434g vs 727g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic GH5 II advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Shoot 4K video
    5K vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1840k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 10.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    108 vs 43 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL7
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus E-PL7
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • External Mic Jack
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic GH5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus E-PL8
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer video battery life
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL9
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Panasonic GH5 II
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1298
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer video battery life
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