• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic G5 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 6.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic G5
Panasonic GH3
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GH3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic G6

Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic G6
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-M1
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-M1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic G5
Panasonic GX85
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic G5
Olympus E-PL8
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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