Nikon D800 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D800 vs Olympus E-M1 II

35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D800 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D800.

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 Nikon D810
Compare D800 vs D810

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

Compare NIKON D810 vs OLYMPUS E-M1 MARK III

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 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.
D800 test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

2,853 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
D800 test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

14.4 vs 12.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

900 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
36.3 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon D800

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
574g vs 1008g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.21 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
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 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 18 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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D800 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D800

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II

Body Only (Black)

All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.
Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.
Read our Nikon D800 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

Nikon D800

Fujifilm X-T2

$1850
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D800 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 Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800

Canon 5D Mark III

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$2139
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 5D Mark III

$1324
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2139
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800

Nikon D800E

$1850
35mm

Has anti-aliasing filter

$2212
35mm

Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D800E

$1324
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800

Nikon D810

$1850
35mm

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

$2346
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D810

$1324
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2346
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D810

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Nikon D800

Panasonic GX8

$1850
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D800 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

Compare Other Cameras?