Olympus E-M10 II Image Quality

Like all recent OM-D and PEN models, the Olympus E-M10 II offers an expanded low ISO setting down to approximately ISO 100. We usually avoid expanded low ISO settings for our image quality comparisons as we don't normally see much improvement in image quality, and they often come at the cost of reduced dynamic range. However, like the E-M10 before it, the Olympus E-M10 II produces significantly more detail in ISO 100 JPEGs compared to the lowest standard ISO of 200, especially in our fabric crop as shown above. Dynamic range is definitely lower with extended-low ISO settings, but if your subject and lighting suits, you may want to use the E-M10 II's extended low-ISO setting for maximum detail.

As expected, very we see similar results from the E-M10 II and its predecessor, but there are some subtle differences. The E-M10 II shows slightly less noise reduction artifacts in flatter areas, however the E-M10 seems to do a bit better with our tricky red-leaf fabric. Colors from the E-M10 II are better and a little more saturated, and contrast appears slightly higher as well.

The 24-megapixel Canon T6i out-resolves the 16-megapixel E-M10 II, offering better detail in most areas of our test target, especially in our tricky red-leaf fabric. The Olympus image is however crisper and more vibrant. Both exhibit obvious sharpening halos around high-contrast edges, but the E-M10 II's are thinner.

Here's another comparison to a 24-megapixel APS-C rival. Once again, the 24-megapixel APS-C D5500 wins in terms of resolving more detail and this time Nikon's processing is more similar to the Olympus than Canon's, producing a very sharp, crisp image though like the Olympus, thin but obvious sharpening halos can seen along high-contrast edges.

These two Micro Four Thirds rivals have essentially the same pixel count and sensor size, but processing is quite different. They offer similar amounts of detail, but the Panasonic's processing is more conservative with less sharpening, lower contrast and lower saturation as well. Some may find the G7's image a little dull in comparison while others will find it more natural, though the EM10 II does produce more pleasing colors.

Yet another comparison with a 24-megapixel APS-C model, and again, the higher resolution offered by the Sony clearly out-resolves the E-M10 II in the mosaic and fabric crops. And the Sony manages to produce a crisp image without obvious sharpening halos, though the Olympus does better with colors.

Once again, very similar results from the two Olympus models here at ISO 1600, though the E-M10 II manages to hold onto a bit more detail in the mosaic crop and continues to produce better colors as well, while the E-M10 does a bit better in the red-leaf fabric.

The Canon T6i continues to capture more detail than the E-M10 II at ISO 1600, but it also leaves behind more noise. The T6i's noise "grain" however is quite fine and film-like, chroma noise is lower than the E-M10 II's, and there are fewer noise reduction artifacts. And the Canon does much better with our tricky red-leaf fabric.

Similar to the Canon T6i, the Nikon D5500 continues to capture more detail, but also shows more noise in the shadows, though again it's quite fine grained and film like. However this time, the APS-C model struggles a bit more with the red-leaf fabric, offering somewhat better detail than the E-M10 II but with lower contrast.

Similar to what we saw at base ISO, the Panasonic G7 produces a less vibrant but more natural-looking image than the E-M10 II, with higher noise and lower noise reduction and sharpening artifacts. Both have difficulty with our red-leaf swatch but the G7 hangs on to a touch more detail in the fabric and the mosaic crops. The Olympus continues to deliver more pleasing colors, though.

Once again, the 24-megapixel APS-C A6000 captures more detail than the E-M10 II at ISO 1600, while producing fewer sharpening artifacts. Luminance noise levels are comparable, but the Olympus does a bit better at keeping chroma noise in check, while producing better colors. The Sony does better in the red-leaf fabric overall, though some of the detail is false or exaggerated.

As expected, similar results from the two Olympus models at ISO 3200, though overall we'd say the E-M10 II has a slight edge. The E-M10 II holds onto a touch more detail in the mosaic and and offers slightly better color and contrast, but image quality is pretty close otherwise.

The Canon T6i continues to resolve more detail than the E-M10 II at ISO 3200, but again, it shows more noise. Overall the Canon produces a more true-to-life rendering with fewer artifacts, although colors are a bit drab in comparison.

It's a similar story here against the D5500, with the Nikon continuing to offer a bit more detail but with higher levels of noise. Both struggle with our red-leaf fabric though the Nikon arguably does a slightly better job.

The Panasonic's more conservative processing continues to render better detail with slightly higher noise and fewer noise reduction artifacts, but the Olympus' image is brighter and punchier, with better color.

The Sony A6000 continues to capture more detail, but the image starts to take on a bit of veiled effect, and flatter areas show more noise reduction artifacts with a more processed look. Again, contrast in the red-leaf pattern is better from the Sony, but much of the detail is false.