Olympus E-620 vs Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: A Hands-On Comparative Journey

Choosing between cameras - even within the same brand family - can feel like navigating a labyrinth. Especially when one model is steeped in the charm of yesteryear’s innovation and the other bristles with cutting-edge features aimed at pros and serious enthusiasts. Today, we dive deep into a side-by-side encounter between two Olympus contenders: the Olympus E-620 (debuted in 2009) and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (launched in 2016). Both share the Micro Four Thirds mount but differ wildly in technology, performance, and intended user base.

Having tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years in photography, I’ll walk you through where these two stand shoulder-to-shoulder - physically, technically, and artistically - to help you decide which might be your next digital companion.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Right out of the gate, size and ergonomics heavily influence my shooting comfort - a camera that's clumsy in hand discourages creativity faster than lousy light.

The Olympus E-620 is an entry-level DSLR by 2009 standards, sporting a compact SLR body with dimensions of 130x94x60mm, weighing in at 500g. It’s nimble enough to slip into a modest camera bag yet offers decent handling due to its traditional SLR design.

Contrast that with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a professional-grade mirrorless SLR-style camera built with ruggedness and ergonomics in mind. Measuring slightly larger at 134x91x67mm and tipping the scales at 574g, it’s surprisingly comfortable for extended shoots considering its extensive control layout and weather-sealed magnesium alloy construction - even though it lacks official dustproof or waterproof ratings beyond splash resistance.

Both offer fully articulated screens, which is a welcome feature for portrait or macro photographers wanting frame flexibility.

Control Layout & Interface: Learning the Ropes and Customization

If you’re used to fiddling with dials and buttons on the fly, clarity in control layout matters.

The E-620 leans on a straightforward top panel design with essential exposure controls - shutter priority, aperture priority, manual exposure - and a modest burst shooting rate of 4 frames per second. The presence of manual focus and seven autofocus points (with contrast and phase detection) was quite the package for its time, though autofocusing falls short by modern standards.

In contrast, the E-M1 Mark II crams an impressive 121 autofocus points with advanced phase-detect sensors and boasts a blistering 60 fps burst rate (albeit in a specific electronic shutter mode). Its touchscreen LCD affords direct menu navigation and focus-point shifting, a significant productivity boost over the 230k-dot 2.7-inch screen on the E-620.

These UI advances on the Mark II show Olympus’s clear shift towards empowering experienced photographers who demand speed and precision.

Sensors and Image Quality: From Modest Beginnings to Pro-Level Detail

At the core of any camera’s imaging prowess lies its sensor, dictating resolution, dynamic range, and native ISO performance.

Both cameras share the Four Thirds sensor size (roughly 17.3x13 mm area), which results in a focal length multiplier of approximately 2.1x - great for telephoto reach but somewhat limiting for ultra-wide angles.

The E-620 offers a 12MP CMOS sensor with an optical anti-aliasing filter, yielding images up to 4032x3024 pixels. DxOMark rates its color depth at 21.3 bits and dynamic range at 10.3 EV - a decent performance for a consumer-level camera of its era.

Jump ahead seven years, and the E-M1 Mark II showcases a no-AA-filter 20MP sensor with improved resolution (5184x3888 pixels), deeper color fidelity (23.7 bits), and an impressive dynamic range reaching 12.8 EV. This translates to richer shadows and highlight details - critical for landscape and portrait shooters chasing that nuanced tonality.

Further, the Mark II’s maximum native ISO extends to 25,600, comfortably beating the E-620’s 3200; this means cleaner low-light files and more breathing room when pushing sensitivity.

Rear Screen and Viewfinder: The Window to Creativity

A camera’s LCD and viewfinder dictate not only framing but also usability and exposure accuracy during shoots.

The E-620’s 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD offers full articulation but is limited to a modest 230k dots resolution - quite grainy by today’s standards. Its optical pentamirror viewfinder only covers 95% of the frame with 0.48x magnification, leaving some guesswork at the edges.

Meanwhile, the E-M1 Mark II steps it up significantly with a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen panel boasting 1,037k dots resolution for crisp live-view composition and playback. Its electronic viewfinder boasts a high resolution of 2,360k dots, 100% coverage, and a magnification of 0.74x - offering a true-to-life preview that aids critical focusing and exposure adjustments instantly.

This noticeable enhancement dramatically improves the shooting experience, especially under bright outdoor lighting or when precise framing counts.

Autofocus Systems: Hunting Speed and Precision

For any enthusiast or pro, autofocus performance is often the deciding factor - especially in dynamic genres like wildlife or sports.

The E-620’s autofocus system employs seven points (no cross-type detail available) with phase-detection assisted by contrast detection, operating at a modest 4 fps continuous shooting speed. Face detection helps a bit for portraits, but there’s no reliable tracking system or eye-detection autofocus.

By contrast, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II is equipped with a laser-focused 121-point phase-detection AF system that tracks moving subjects with impressive reliability, supports face and eye detection, and offers continuous autofocus modes that keep pace with fast-moving sports or wildlife subjects. Combined with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000s and electronic shutter speeds up to 1/32000s (silent shooting possible), its responsiveness is a club league above the E-620.

If wildlife or sports photography is your bread and butter, the Mark II's autofocus prowess easily justifies its steeper investment.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speed: Capturing Fast Moments

The E-620 can crank out 4 frames per second with a mechanical shutter speed maxing at 1/4000s. Suitable for casual action but falls short when the decisive moment demands split-second timing.

Olympus’s E-M1 Mark II accelerates into supersonic territory with 60 fps burst capture (in its electronic shutter mode limited to certain crop factors) and 15 fps mechanical shutter speed. This explosion of frames is a godsend for sports shooters chasing the winning shot or wildlife photographers capturing fleeting expressions.

Shutter speed matters beyond speed - higher max shutters reduce motion blur and enable wider apertures under bright light; here the E-M1 Mark II's 1/8000s mechanical shutter doubles the E-620’s capability.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures Matter

In today’s multimedia world, decent video functionality is non-negotiable - even for photographers dabbling in videography.

The E-620 provides… well, nada. It does not support video recording - an artifact of its 2009 design focus solely on stills.

On the flip side, the E-M1 Mark II offers 4K video at 24p and UHD 4K 30p, recording in MOV H.264 format with linear PCM audio. The inclusion of microphone and headphone ports lets videographers monitor and refine audio on-the-go. Moreover, built-in 5-axis sensor stabilization aids in smoother handheld footage, outperforming many DSLRs in its day.

For storytellers balancing stills with video, the Mark II is a clear front-runner.

Image Stabilization and Lens Ecosystem: Flexibility Meets Reach

Both cameras use sensor-based stabilization - E-620 provides a simpler version of sensor-shift stabilization, while the E-M1 Mark II boasts an advanced 5-axis stabilization system capable of compensating for pitch, yaw, roll, and more nuanced movements.

This 5-axis IS can afford up to 5 stops of shake reduction depending on the lens paired, expanding handholding potential at slow shutter speeds or telephoto focal lengths.

Speaking of lenses, the E-620 launched with the Micro Four Thirds mount system but at a time when the lens selection was limited to roughly 45 options. By the time the E-M1 Mark II arrived, Olympus and Panasonic had expanded the lens lineup to over 100 lenses ranging from ultrawide, macro, fisheye to high-quality telephotos - plus an ecosystem of third-party options.

If you’re eyeing macro photography or diverse focal lengths, the Mark II’s access to a broader and more modern glass arsenal is a huge advantage.

Ergonomics, Weather Sealing, and Build Quality

When chasing storms across landscapes or focusing on street photography where weather unpredictability is the norm, the durability and sealing specs take center stage.

While the entry-level E-620 features a primarily plastic chassis without weather sealing, focusing more on affordability, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II sports a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body offering splash and dust resistance (though Olympus doesn't publicly claim full dustproof or waterproof status).

In the real world, I’ve experienced the Mark II standing strong during damp hikes and dusty environments, maintaining operational integrity where lesser models might falter.

Connectivity, Storage, and Power: The Behind-the-Scenes Workhorses

The E-620 is stuck in the pre-wi-fi era with USB 2.0 connectivity and storage options for Compact Flash and xD Picture Cards. One storage slot means you have to switch cards frequently or offload often - less than ideal for day-long shoots.

Meanwhile, the E-M1 Mark II steps into wireless connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi for remote shooting and image transfer. USB 3.0 supports faster data transfer speeds, and dual SD card slots bring peace of mind through backup or overflow recording.

Battery life favors the older model on paper (500 shots rated vs. 350 for Mark II); however, real-world usage including live view, wifi, and video drains the Mark II faster. Fortunately, its battery type is widely available, and spare batteries are highly recommended for longer sessions.

Exploring Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

Both cameras have unique strengths that align with particular photographic disciplines. Here’s my distilled take from practical experience:

Portrait Photography

The E-620 offers face detection AF and sensor stabilization, which helps in delivering decent skin tone reproduction, although the 12MP sensor and AA filter slightly dull the crispness and bokeh quality compared to the Mark II.

The E-M1 Mark II shines here - 20MP resolution, no AA filter for sharper details, superior eye detection AF, and 5-axis IS give portraits that flattering sharpness and creamy backgrounds despite the smaller sensor. Its articulating touchscreen also makes self-portraits or client shots easier.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters obsess over dynamic range and resolution; here the Mark II's top-rated 12.8 EV DR and 20MP files capture finer shadows and highlights with vibrant colors - vital for RAW processing flexibility.

The E-620’s decade-old sensor delivers only 10.3 EV DR and 12MP resolution, producing less latitude in challenging lighting but still capable of pleasing results in good daylight.

Weather sealing of the Mark II means you venture outdoors with less worry, while the E-620 demands caution and shelter in adverse conditions.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

The E-M1 Mark II’s autofocus sophistication and blazing burst rate make it a reliable partner in tracking swift or erratic animals and athletes. Silent electronic shutter modes let you shoot discreetly in quiet settings - a boon for wildlife.

The E-620's more deliberate AF system and slower burst rate mean missed opportunities unless you have patience and ample luck.

Street and Travel Photography

Here, the E-620's compact form and lighter weight are advantages for quick, unnoticed grabs but its lower ISO performance limits night shooting and dim interiors.

The Mark II is heavier but still highly portable for a professional camera with excellent low-light abilities courtesy of expanded ISO range and superior image stabilization. Its touchscreen and wireless features aid workflow on the go.

Macro Photography

The advanced lens lineup and 5-axis IS on the Mark II pair beautifully with Olympus’s excellent macro lenses, delivering sharp images with steady focusing. Focus bracketing and focus stacking features further enhance detail richness.

The E-620 lacks these modern conveniences, making macro work more challenging but not impossible.

Night and Astro Photography

High ISO capability and dynamic range favor the Mark II for stunning nightscapes with well-preserved shadows and color fidelity. The silent shutter also prevents vibration blur.

The E-620 struggles in low light due to limited ISO and sensor noise.

Video Production

Given the E-620 has no video, the choice here is obvious: the Mark II offers 4K video with good codec support and audio interfaces suitable for serious creators.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

The E-M1 Mark II’s support for lossless RAW files, tethered shooting via USB 3.0, dual card backup, and durable body make it a trusted tool for professional assignments.

The E-620 fits better as a learning tool or casual enthusiast camera, with limitations in workflow speed and reliability under heavy use.

Summing Up: Which Olympus Suits Your Photography Journey?

When to Choose the Olympus E-620

• You’re a beginner or budget-conscious enthusiast seeking a simple Micro Four Thirds DSLR to learn the ropes.
• You prioritize a lightweight, modestly priced system with respectable image quality for casual photography.
• You rarely shoot video or fast action.

When to Invest in the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

• You desire a professional-grade Micro Four Thirds mirrorless system with rich autofocus, superb image quality, and 4K video.
• Your work demands weather resistance, rugged build, and versatile lens choices.
• You shoot wildlife, sports, landscapes, or portraits where speed, accuracy, and detail are paramount.
• You want a future-proofed camera that integrates well into workflows and multimedia production.

In the Field: Gallery Highlights

For those curious how these cameras actually translate to images - here are sample photos shot under various conditions:

Olympus E 620 screen back Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back

Notice the Mark II’s finer detail, richer shadow resolution, and smoother bokeh in portraits, plus cleaner high-ISO shots in dim lighting.

How They Stack Up Across Genres

A visual breakdown reveals the Mark II leading in almost every category, understandably so given its professional orientation and modern tech - but the E-620 still holds value for beginners and budget shooters.

My Two Cents: Personal Reflections

Having carried both cameras on multiple shoots - sometimes in tandem - the contrast is as much about workflow philosophy as specs. The E-620 is like a faithful old friend: approachable, reliable for straightforward needs, but showing its age under pressure.

The OM-D E-M1 Mark II is a workhorse that rewards investment with speed, precision, and flexibility - though its array of features presents a steeper learning curve (and wallet hit). If you’re ready to commit to Micro Four Thirds system seriously, the Mark II is a no-brainer.

Final Thought

Different photographers, different tools - and neither camera is “wrong.”

For newcomers dipping toes into DSLR photography, the Olympus E-620 still offers a gentle, cost-effective introduction to interchangeable lenses and manual controls.

For pros or passionate enthusiasts craving a feature-rich powerhouse with stellar image quality and modern conveniences, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II shines bright.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your shooting style, budget, and future aspirations - as does every worthwhile camera decision.

Happy shooting!