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Canon G5 X vs Olympus E-M1 II

The Canon PowerShot G5 X and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in October 2015 and September 2016. The G5X is a fixed lens compact, while the E-M1 II is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an one-inch (G5X) and a Four Thirds (E-M1 II) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Canon G5 X
versus
Olympus E-M1 II
Canon G5 X   Olympus E-M1 II
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 Micro Four Thirds lenses
20 MP – 1" sensor 20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor
1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 125-12,800 (125 - 25,600) ISO 200-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1037k dots
Swivel touchscreen Swivel touchscreen
5.9 shutter flaps per second 18 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
210 shots per battery charge440 shots per battery charge
112 x 76 x 44 mm, 353 g 134 x 91 x 67 mm, 574 g
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Check G5X offers at
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Check E-M1 II offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot G5 X and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon G5 X and the Olympus E-M1 II. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Canon G5 X vs Olympus E-M1 II
Compare G5X versus E-M1 II top
Comparison G5X or E-M1 II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-M1 II is considerably larger (43 percent) than the Canon G5 X. It is noteworthy in this context that the E-M1 II is splash and dust-proof, while the G5X does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the G5X has a lens built in, whereas the E-M1 II is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the E-M1 II and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the G5X gets 210 shots out of its Canon NB-13L battery, while the E-M1 II can take 440 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLH-1 power pack. The power pack in the G5X can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 111 mm 61 mm 46 mm 340 g 230 n Jul 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G7 X 103 mm 60 mm 40 mm 304 g 210 n Sep 2014 US$ 699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 106 mm 61 mm 42 mm 319 g 265 n Feb 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 105 mm 61 mm 41 mm 304 g 235 n Jul 2019 US$ 749 amazon.com
7.
 
Canon M3 111 mm 68 mm 44 mm 366 g 250 n Feb 2015 US$ 679ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX410 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 185 n Feb 2015 US$ 279ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX420 104 mm 69 mm 85 mm 325 g 195 n Jan 2016 US$ 299ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 130 mm 94 mm 63 mm 497 g 350 Y Sep 2013 US$ 1 399ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-M1 III 134 mm 91 mm 69 mm 580 g 420 Y Feb 2020 US$ 1 799ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic G9 137 mm 97 mm 92 mm 658 g 400 Y Nov 2017 US$ 1 699ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 US$ 1 999ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic GX8 133 mm 78 mm 63 mm 487 g 330 Y Jul 2015 US$ 1 199ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic TZ100 111 mm 65 mm 44 mm 312 g 300 n Jan 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 US$ 799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The G5X was launched at a lower price than the E-M1 II, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon G5 X features an one-inch sensor and the Olympus E-M1 II a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M1 II is 94 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 2.0. The sensor in the G5X has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M1 II offers a 4:3 aspect.

Canon G5 X and Olympus E-M1 II sensor measures

With 20.2MP, the E-M1 II offers a higher resolution than the G5X (20MP), but the E-M1 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 2.41μm for the G5X) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the E-M1 II is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the G5X, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the E-M1 II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The E-M1 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the G5X, the E-M1 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (50MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Canon PowerShot G5 X has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 125-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

In terms of underlying technology, the G5X is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the E-M1 II uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

G5X versus E-M1 II MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the E-M1 II offers substantially better image quality than the G5X (overall score 18 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.3 bits higher color depth, 0.5 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.5 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
3.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
4.
 
Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.755671
5.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.811.926062
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458365
7.
 
Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.8116972
8.
 
Canon SX410 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/30p20.211.672047
9.
 
Canon SX420 1/2.3 19.9 5152 3864720/25p20.311.780648
10.
 
Olympus E-M1 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.775773
11.
 
Olympus E-M1 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1135676
12.
 
Panasonic G9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.112.8113874
13.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
14.
 
Panasonic GX8 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.512.680675
15.
 
Panasonic TZ100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.555970
16.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
17.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the E-M1 II provides a better video resolution than the G5X. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The G5X and the E-M1 II are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 2360k dots. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon G5 X and Olympus E-M1 II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
3.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G7 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 6.5/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 8.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IIInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 30/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
8.
 
Canon SX410none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX420none n3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 0.5/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus E-M12360 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Olympus E-M1 III2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
12.
 
Panasonic G93680 Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
13.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
14.
 
Panasonic GX82360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Panasonic TZ1001166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The G5X has one, while the E-M1 II does not. While the built-in flash of the G5X is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the E-M1 II is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Canon G5 X and the Olympus E-M1 II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the G5X and the E-M1 II write their files to SDXC cards. The E-M1 II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the G5X only has one slot. The E-M1 II supports UHS-II cards (on its first slot), while the G5X can use UHS-I cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon PowerShot G5 X and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
3.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro3.1Y-Y
4.
 
Canon G7 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III-stereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon SX410-stereo / mono---2.0---
9.
 
Canon SX420-mono / mono---2.0YY-
10.
 
Olympus E-M1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
12.
 
Panasonic G9Ystereo / monoYYfull3.0Y-Y
13.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
14.
 
Panasonic GX8Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Panasonic TZ100-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
16.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-

It is notable that the E-M1 II has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The G5X does not feature such a mic input.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-M1 II (unlike the G5X) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the G5X and the E-M1 II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The G5X was replaced by the Canon G5 X Mark II, while the E-M1 II was followed by the Olympus E-M1 III. Further information on the features and operation of the G5X and E-M1 II can be found, respectively, in the Canon G5 X Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-M1 II Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon G5 X or the Olympus E-M1 II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot G5 X:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the E-M1 II requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (112x76mm vs 134x91mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the E-M1 II).
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in October 2015).

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Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (18 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.3 bits more color depth).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.5 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (18 vs 5.9 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (440 versus 210) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (11 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M1 II is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 9 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

G5X 09:20 E-M1 II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon G5 X and the Olympus E-M1 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the G5X and the E-M1 II in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 US$ 799ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G5 X Mark II4/5+4/582/100..4/5 Jul 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G7 X4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 US$ 699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II4.5/5+ +..81/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
6.
 
Canon G7 X Mark III..+ +4/581/1004/5.. Jul 2019 US$ 749 amazon.com
7.
 
Canon M34/5o..75/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2015 US$ 679ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX410..o........ Feb 2015 US$ 279ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX420..........3/5 Jan 2016 US$ 299ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-M15/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 US$ 1 399ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-M1 III5/5..5/583/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2020 US$ 1 799ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic G9..+ +5/585/1005/55/5 Nov 2017 US$ 1 699ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 US$ 1 999ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic GX85/5+..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2015 US$ 1 199ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic TZ1004.5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 US$ 699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 US$ 799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Canon G5 X vs Olympus E-M1 II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Canon G5 X Olympus E-M1 II
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date October 2015 September 2016
    Launch Price USD 799 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Canon G5 X Olympus E-M1 II
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 116.16 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5472 x 3648 pixels 5184 x 3888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.41 μm 3.34 μm
    Pixel Density 17.18 MP/cm2 8.96 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 12,800 ISO 200 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 125 - 25,600 ISO 64 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor DIGIC 6 TruePic VIII
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 62 80
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.4 23.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.3 12.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 471 1312
    Screen Specs Canon G5 X Olympus E-M1 II
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2360k dots 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Canon G5 X Olympus E-M1 II
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/2000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5.9 shutter flaps/s 18 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens-based stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support UHS-I Single UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Canon G5 X Olympus E-M1 II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon G5 X Olympus E-M1 II
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Canon NB-13L Olympus BLH-1
    Battery Life (CIPA)210 shots per charge440 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 112 x 76 x 44 mm
    (4.4 x 3.0 x 1.7 in)
    134 x 91 x 67 mm
    (5.3 x 3.6 x 2.6 in)
    Camera Weight 353 g (12.5 oz) 574 g (20.2 oz)
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