Olympus E-M5 vs Ricoh GR II

Cameras
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Olympus E-M5 vs Ricoh GR II

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5.

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M5 II
Compare E-M5 vs E-M5 II

Succeeded by the Ricoh GR III
Compare GR II vs GR III

Compare OLYMPUS E-M5 II vs RICOH GR III

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Ricoh GR II

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 6.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
16 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Ricoh GR II advantages over Olympus E-M5

Less expensive
$538* vs $900
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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.
GR II test data on DxO Mark E-M5 test data on DxO Mark

1,078 vs 826 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.
GR II test data on DxO Mark E-M5 test data on DxO Mark

13.7 vs 12.3 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Higher-res screen
307k vs 205k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
300 vs 60 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 17 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GR II User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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Ricoh GR II

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Review Excerpt

Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.
Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.
Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

Shooting with a wide prime helps you see new shots; Good performance and fast autofocus; Excellent sharp, bright lens; Very customizable; In-camera Wi-Fi works with more than just Android and iOS; Supports Pentax wireless flash strobes
Fixed, wide prime lens isn't for everyone; Cramped controls; Burst capture is slower for JPEGs; Tends too warm under incandescent lighting; Wi-Fi app is poor, and web browser control has cluttered interface
Read our Ricoh GR II Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1

$900
4/3

Less expensive
Thinner

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Ricoh GR II

Olympus E-M1

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

$700
4/3

Internal flash
More viewfinder magnification

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Ricoh GR II

Panasonic G3

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$700
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Panasonic G5

Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G5

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More telephoto lens reach

$550
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G5

Ricoh GR II

Panasonic G5

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$550
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Touchscreen

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Ricoh GR

Olympus E-M5

Ricoh GR

$900
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II

Ricoh GR

$538
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$799
APS-C

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GX7

$900
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic GX7

Ricoh GR II

Panasonic GX7

$538
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Panasonic GX7

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