Canon 5D Mark II vs Olympus E-M1 II

Cameras
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Canon 5D Mark II vs Olympus E-M1 II

35mm 864.0mm²
21.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark II.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 5D Mark III
Compare 5D Mark II vs 5D Mark III

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III

Compare CANON 5D MARK III vs OLYMPUS E-M1 MARK III

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.41 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark II test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

1,815 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

850 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Less expensive
$949* vs $2999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
7 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Canon 5D Mark II

Fujifilm X-T2

$1085
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$1324
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

$1085
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D3X

$1324
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1085
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D600

$1324
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1085
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 6D

$1324
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 6D

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Canon 5D Mark II

Panasonic GX8

$1085
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

$1324
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

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