• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $1099
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    908 vs 757 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1

Review Excerpt

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Olympus E-M5 II
Olympus E-M5
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GH3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GX7
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • External Mic Jack
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GH4
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GX8
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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