Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GH5

Cameras
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Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GH5

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

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

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II
Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GH5 II

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Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Panasonic GH5

Less expensive
$999* vs $1298
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
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.
PEN-F test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

894 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer video battery life
80 vs 55 minutes
Capture more video
Thinner
37 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
434g vs 725g
Lighter weight

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

410 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
11.9 fps vs 10.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
600 vs 43 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 39 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus PEN-F

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Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

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.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

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

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GX85

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Bluetooth

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic GX85

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

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-PL8

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Longer video battery life
Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Panasonic G9

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic G9

$999
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1047
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1047
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

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

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-PL9

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

$700
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Longer video battery life

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Olympus E-PL9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic G95

$999
4/3

High resolution composite
Thinner

$831
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$831
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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