OM System OM-5 Mark II vs Panasonic LUMIX G97
The bottom line
There's a real price gap here: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 at $699 versus the OM System OM-5 Mark II at $1,199. The extra buys you faster 30fps burst. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Choose the OM System OM-5 Mark II if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 30fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 30p and 10-bit internal colour.
- ✓You value portability — at 418g (14.7 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 530g (1.17 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97 if…
- ✓You're budget-conscious — it launched at $699, about $500 less, freeing money for lenses.
Where they differ
- ›Burst: the OM System OM-5 Mark II shoots 30fps to the Panasonic LUMIX G97's 9fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
- ›Video: the OM System OM-5 Mark II is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 60p, 10-bit internal and Log.
- ›Price: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 launched at $699, $500 under the OM System OM-5 Mark II — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Weight: the OM System OM-5 Mark II is 418g (14.7 oz) vs 530g (1.17 lb) — 112g you'll feel on a long day out.
Frequently asked
Is the OM System OM-5 Mark II or the Panasonic LUMIX G97 better?
There's a real price gap here: the Panasonic LUMIX G97 at $699 versus the OM System OM-5 Mark II at $1,199. The extra buys you faster 30fps burst. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Who should choose the OM System OM-5 Mark II?
Choose the OM System OM-5 Mark II if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 30fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames. Choose it if you shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 60p 4K vs 30p and 10-bit internal colour. Choose it if you value portability — at 418g (14.7 oz) it's noticeably lighter than the 530g (1.17 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G97 if you're budget-conscious — it launched at $699, about $500 less, freeing money for lenses.
What is the main difference between the OM System OM-5 Mark II and the Panasonic LUMIX G97?
Burst: the OM System OM-5 Mark II shoots 30fps to the Panasonic LUMIX G97's 9fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | BSI Stacked Live MOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Image Processor | TruePic IX | Venus Engine |
| Effective Resolution | 20.4 MP | 20.3 MP |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 200 – 25600 | 200 – 25600 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 80 – 102400 | − |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/4000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/32000 | 1/16000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | − |
| Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 30 fps | 9 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 30p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 240p | Up to 60p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | No |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | OM-Log400 / HLG | V-Log L |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Micro (Type D) | − |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 1,053 | − |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | 49 |
| Low Light AF | -7.5 EV | − |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | No | No |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 2.36M dots | 2.36M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.83x | − |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.04M dots | 1.84M dots |
| LCD Type | Vari-Angle | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 | v5.0 |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C |
| Memory Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-II | 1x SD UHS-I |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $1,199 | $699 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | − |
| Dimensions | 125.3×85.2×52 mm | 130.4×93.5×77.4 mm |
| Weight | 418g (14.7 oz) | 530g (1.17 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 520 shots | − |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 520 shots | − |
| Battery Type | BLX-1 | − |
