• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 33.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Sony A7 IV

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $899* vs $2498
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 658g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A7 IV advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.12 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    2 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    3680k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    33.0 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    828 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

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  • Body Only
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Review Excerpt

  • 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

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Sony A7 IV
Panasonic GX7
  • $2365
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX8

Sony A7 IV
Panasonic GX8
  • $2365
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

Sony A7 IV
Panasonic GX85
  • $2365
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Olympus E-M5 II
Nikon Z7 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2730
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7 IV
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2365
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2730
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z7 II

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Olympus E-M5 II
Nikon Z6 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 IV
Nikon Z6 II
  • $2365
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z6 II

Compare Other Cameras?