Panasonic Lumix GH5S vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Panasonic Lumix GH5S is a M4/3 camera that records exceptional 4K videos, and perform very well in low light conditions. Its larger pixel size enables better light-gathering, and when coupled with the new dual-ISO mode, GH5S excels in increasing light sensitivity without increasing noise. In contrast, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is an entry-level M4/3 camera that features a higher resolution than the former one. It is a still photography camera that also shoots decent 4K and comes with some features that the pricier GH5S lacks. Even though they are from different price leagues, let’s find out which one would suit you the best. Moving onto the Panasonic Lumix GH5S vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV comparison.
Price Comparison | Panasonic GH5S vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
| Panasonic GH5S | Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Amazon) | Check Current Price & Availability | Check Current Price & Availability |
| Launch Date | January 2018 | July 2020 |
Panasonic GH5S vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Sensor and Image Processor
First things first, both models carry a Micro Four Third digital CMOS sensor. But their dimension differs as the Panasonic GH5S has a slightly wider frame width, 2.2mm excess in the 19.2x13mm sensor. The image sensors differ between both models. The Venus Engine 10 processor in Panasonic GH5S has a tremendous processing speed that reduces the rolling shutter effect 1.3x times from the predecessor GH5. Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV, on the other hand, comes with a TruePic VIII image processor that produces magnificent picture quality while compiling pictures. Now that we have discussed the most basic aspects of a camera, we will discuss how it affects various factors in the upcoming segments.
Pixel Resolution and Pixel Size
The Panasonic GH5S has 10.28 million pixels across its sensor. This allows for a larger pixel size across the sensor and helps to gather more light. GH5S also supports a better ISO sensitivity, along with the dual ISO mode, resulting in superior low light performance than Olympus E-M10 Mark IV without inducing noise. Better low light shooting capabilities in GH5S you to control the shutter speed and aperture without the worry of losing light. This is a major benefit if you have to shoot frequently on low light.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV features a better resolution of 20.3 MP than the Panasonic GH5S’s 10.28 MP. This allows you to capture very nice pictures with good clarity. The E-M10 Mark IV is targeted for the still photography market and it does well in photography. However, this model cannot perform as good as the former one in low light conditions.
Autofocus
This is a very important aspect in photography if you are a serious photographer. Focusing on the subject or talent in the frame at the right time is very crucial in fast-action photography. Both of these cameras perform well in autofocus with the contrast-detect AF. However, the Panasonic GH5S features 225 focus points, more than the 121 focus points in the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV.
Winner: Panasonic Lumix GH5S (Amazon) – Offers better autofocus capabilities.
IBIS
Given that, the GH5S does not feature any in-built stabilization system apart from the digital stabilization. If you’re not shooting on a tripod, this could be a huge downside. The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV, however, manages to incorporate the IBIS system into that little body and produce marvelous blur-free images.
Winner: Olympus E-M10 Mark IV (Amazon) – Comes with IBIS
Image
Olympus E-M10 Mark IV can produce sharper images than the Panasonic GH5S with its 20.3MP resolution. The IBIS system also aids in reducing any blur while clicking the shutter release button. It also has a 15 fps continuous drift speed that lets you capture fast actions without losing the subject from the frame.
In contrast, GH5S has a lower resolution but can still shoot very nice images. The lack of IBIS can be an issue while shooting fast actions but will suit in any other condition. Panasonic Lumix GH5S features a faster shutter speed (1/8000s) than the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV model. However, the continuous drift speed of GH5S is limited to 12 fps making it not as good as the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV.
Winner: Olympus E-M10 Mark IV (Amazon) – Performs better in still photography than Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV.
Video
The Panasonic GH5S clearly dominates this section. It features an impeccable capability in producing high quality in 4:2:2 10-bit 4K DCI up to 30fps, 4:2:0 8-bit 4K DCI up to 60fps, and 4:2:2 10-bit Full HD up to 60fps. The downside here is that it cannot shoot videos in 120fps, whereas the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV can record 4:2:0 8-bit Full HD up to 120fps. And, GH5S cannot shoot the mighty timelapse in any resolution whereas the E-M10 Mark IV can shoot 4K timelapse and produce spectacular videos.
Even then, the GH5S excels at this section with its ability to record the videos without record limit in 4:2:0. In addition, it supports the latest H.265 codec format, which uses only approx. 75% of the storage size of H.264 without compromising on quality, as well. Besides, both models support HDR video recording and thus provide a wonderful dynamic range while shooting videos.
Winner: Panasonic Lumix GH5S (Amazon) – Captures superior 4K videos with more color information.
Monitor and Viewfinder
Panasonic GH5S delivers a wonderful display at its price. It comes with a high-resolution 21mm, 0.76x, 3,680,000 dotted OLED viewfinder. And its articulating full touch LCD screen is a 3.2″ 1,620,000 dotted 120fps display. The cheaper Olympus E-M10 Mark IV uses a 2,360,000 dotted OLED electronic viewfinder and a 3″ tilting fully touch LCD screen with 1,040,000 dots. We cannot select a camera with its display, but it is evident that the GH5S features a better display here. The fully articulating display is very helpful to bloggers who have to work alone and also aids you in recording low angle shots.
Winner: Panasonic Lumix GH5S (Amazon) – Offers superior monitor and viewfinder than Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Storage
Let’s talk about storage, both models provide UHS-II compliant SD slots, but in the Panasonic GH5S, there are 2 slots whereas the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV only has a single port. The two ports in the GH5S are very helpful in recording long videos and you can also program different card slots for video and photo. For smooth operations, we recommend using high-speed V60 (eg: Lexar Professional 1667X) or even faster V90 cards (eg: ProGrade Digital SD UHS-II) Panasonic GH5S to record 4K 10-bit videos so that there is enough read write speed.
Winner: Panasonic Lumix GH5S (Amazon) – Offers 2 memory card slots (one more than Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV)
Other Features | Panasonic Lumix GH5S vs Olympus E-M10 Mark IV
The Olympus E-M10 Mark IV is a great affordable option for travel photographers on a budget. You can capture the essence of landscapes, and also record nice 4K videos as well. But the mighty aspect here is the weight of the camera. Weighing at 383g, E-M10 Mark IV is 277 grams lighter than Panasonic GH5S that weighs 660g. Olympus also gave E-M10 Mark IV a USB charging option that will let you charge from your power bank without worrying about another charger while packing.
The lightweight E-M10 Mark IV packs a smaller battery. This battery will let you shoot up to 360 shots, whereas the Panasonic GH5S lets you shoot up to 440 shots. But you can always bring an extra battery pack. The USB 3.2 slots in the GH5S allows a better transfer speed than the USB 2.0 in Olympus E-M10 Mark IV.
Specifications | Panasonic Lumix GH5S vs Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
| Camera Feature | Panasonic GH5S | Olympus E-M10 Mark IV |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | M4/3 19.2 x 13 mm Live CMOS Sensor | M4/3 17.4 x 13 mm Live CMOS Sensor |
| Image Processor | Venus Engine 10 | TruePic VIII |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Effective Pixels | 10.28 MP | 20.3 MP |
| Maximum Resolution | 3680 x 2760 | 5184 x 3888 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 160-51200 (Extended: 80-204800) | 200-25600 (Extended: 100-25600) |
| Shutter Speed | 1/8000 to 60 Seconds | 1/4000 to 60 Seconds |
| Continuous Drift Speed | 12 fps | 15 fps |
| Auto Focus | Contrast Detection: 225 | Contrast Detection: 121 |
| IBIS | Digital Only | Sensor-shift |
| IBIS Rating | – | Up to 4.5 stops |
| Supported Image File Formats | JPEG, Raw | JPEG, Raw |
| Image Bit Depth | 14-Bit & 12-bit | 12-Bit |
| Supported Video Formats | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| 4K RAW Support | No | No |
| Other 4K Recording Modes | MOV/MP4 4:2:2 10-Bit DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976, 24.00, 25, 29.97 fps MOV/MP4 4:2:2 10-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976, 24.00, 25, 29.97 fps MOV/MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) at 23.976, 24.00, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps MOV/MP4 4:2:0 8-Bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976, 24.00, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps | MP4/H.264 4:2:0 8-bit UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976, 25, 29.97 fps |
| Other Video Recording Modes | MOV/MP4 4:2:2 10-Bit Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976, 24.00, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps | H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-bit Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 119.88 fps H.264/MOV 4:2:0 8-bit HD (280 x 7200) at 23.976, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 119.88 fps |
| External Recording Modes | 4:2:2 10-Bit for all settings | UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 29.97 fps |
| Timelapse Reording | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic 3,680,000 Dots | Electronic 2,360,000 Dots |
| Monitor | 3.2″ Articulating Touchscreen LCD | 3″ Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
| Monitor Resolution | 1,620,000 Dots | 1,040,000 Dots |
| Maximum Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 Second | 1/250 Second |
| Memory Card Slot | 2 slots – SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) | 1 Slot – SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) |
| Battery Life | 440 shots | 360 shots |
| USB Type | 3.2 Gen 1(5Gbit/s) | 2.0(480Mbit/s) |
| USB Charging | No | Yes |
| Weight | 660 g | 383 g |
| Current Price | Check Price | Check Price |
The Panasonic GH5S excels in video recording and low light performances whereas the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV features an IBIS and a better resolution, which in effect produces better image outputs. The selection of one camera depends on your requirement.
If you are a photographer, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV (Amazon) is a better choice for you as it produces better image quality, and it is also cheaper than the GH5S. But Panasonic Lumix GH5S (Amazon) will suit you best if you are a person who needs to shoot videos professionally at very high quality. Either way, it comes down to what the user needs.
