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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G1 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    429g vs 574g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 51 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Panasonic G1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 21.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 463 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 10.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k 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
    0.11 vs 0.37 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 3.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Panasonic G1
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-P1

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-P1
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-P1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-PL1
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PL1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Panasonic G1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-M1 II
Olympus E-PL2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic G1
Panasonic G7
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?