Sony A7 II vs Olympus E-M5 II

Cameras
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Sony A7 II vs Olympus E-M5 II

35mm 855.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 II.
Compare Sony A7 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 II conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 II.
Compare Olympus E-M5 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Sony A7 III
Compare A7 II vs A7 III

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

Compare SONY A7 III vs OLYMPUS E-M5 III

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
A7 II test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark

2,449 vs 908 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.
A7 II test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark

13.6 vs 12.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
More pixels
24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
52 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
28 vs 13 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Sony A7 II

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Thinner
44 mm vs 59 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.22 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
10.4 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.4 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
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 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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A7 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.
(Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).
Read our Sony A7 II Review

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

Sony A7 II

Panasonic GX7

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
4/3

Lens selection
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs 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

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II

Sony A7

$1148
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

$748
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A7

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$748
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$3802
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-M5 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony A7 II

Panasonic GX85

$1148
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs 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

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II

Sony A7 III

$1148
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$1865
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Olympus E-M5 II

Sony A7 III

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1865
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A7 III

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