• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 21.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Olympus E-PM1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.41 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 20.9 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,815 vs 499 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.9 vs 10.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 850 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    21.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PM1 advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    382g vs 1588g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.3 fps vs 3.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Nikon D3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Olympus E-PM1
Nikon D3X
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Canon 5D Mark II
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Canon 5D Mark II
Panasonic GF5
  • $1085
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PM1
Panasonic GF5
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

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
Olympus E-PM1
Nikon D600
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Olympus E-PM1
Canon 6D
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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