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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
Portability
80
Imaging
53
Features
84
Overall
65

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 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
  • Announced November 2003
  • Updated by Olympus E-3
Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 III
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II Overview

Below, we are comparing the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are built by Olympus. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-M5 II (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was unveiled 12 years earlier than the E-M5 II which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the E-1 grades versus the E-M5 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 E-1 E-M5 II 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-1

 E-M5 II E-1 
IntroducedFebruary 2015November 2003More modern by 136 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution1037k134kCrisper display (+903k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-M5 II

 E-1 E-M5 II 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 enjoys outside measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M5 II has dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the E-1 against the E-M5 II.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and E-M5 II is 59 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing technical specs. The pic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-1 and E-M5 II.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Olympus E-M5 II to show greater detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-M5 II as a Portrait photography camera
46
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
low resolution (5 megapixels)
71
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-1
Street photography with Olympus E-M5 II
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
lighter than average (735g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
82
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
weather proof
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-1
Sports photography with Olympus E-M5 II
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (5 megapixels)
65
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
weather proof
terrible battery (310 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography info
Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography info
47
lighter than average (735 grams)
weather proof
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution (5MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
weather proof
includes touch to focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery (310 shots)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography details
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
small screen (1.8")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (5MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery (310 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging details
Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging details
9
no video
82
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-M5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-M5 II
 Olympus E-1Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-1 Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
Category Pro DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2003-11-29 2015-02-06
Body design Large SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 81
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lb) 469 grams (1.03 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 896
Other
Battery life - 310 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,700 $699