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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-M1 II, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-M1 II (20MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was brought out 13 years prior to the E-M1 II which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-1 grades vs the E-M1 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-1 E-M1 II 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-1

 E-M1 II E-1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016November 2003More modern by 155 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution1037k134kCrisper screen (+903k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-M1 II

 E-1 E-M1 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 features external measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M1 II has dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-M1 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-1 against the E-M1 II.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and E-M1 II is 59 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and E-M1 II.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-M1 II to produce extra detail having its extra 15MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (5 megapixels)
76
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography factors
Olympus E-M1 II Street photography factors
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
lighter than competitors (735 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than competition (574 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
75
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than competitors (735g)
environment proof
missing Timelapse mode
low MP (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
72
lighter than competition (574 grams)
environment proof
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery (350 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen is small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
76
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
bad battery (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic support
lighter than competition (574 grams)
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-M1 II
 Olympus E-1Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Category Pro DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2003-11-29 2016-09-19
Physical type Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VIII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 121
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 1.8" 3"
Screen resolution 134k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 60.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.10 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 4096x2160
Video data format - MOV, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 pounds) 574 gr (1.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.8
DXO Low light score not tested 1312
Other
Battery life - 350 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLH-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Card slots Single 2
Launch price $1,700 $1,700