From Pocket-Friendly Simplicity to Pro-Level Power: Comparing the Olympus FE-47 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

When Olympus announced their FE-47 compact back in 2010, it was designed as an affordable, straightforward camera for casual shooters - the kind of point-and-shoot you could tuck in a purse or pocket and forget about until a Kodak moment appeared. Fast forward six years and Olympus unleashed the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a professional-grade mirrorless beast that continues their rich tradition in serious micro four-thirds systems.

With such wildly different cameras in play - the FE-47 a budget-friendly, no-frills compact and the E-M1 II a robust pro-level body - comparing them head-to-head might seem like comparing apples and Ferraris. But for photography enthusiasts who want to understand the contours of Olympus’ offerings across a decade, and for those sizing up cameras spanning casual to pro use, this contrast is instructive.

Having spent thousands of hours behind cameras large and small (and owned more Olympus gear than I care to admit), I’m here to break down what these two cameras bring to your creative toolkit, where each shines (or stumbles), and who should consider each based on real-world use and performance. Strap in. This is not the cheapskate vs. clubs for thumbs debate - it’s a close look at what you’re really getting from Olympus’s compact simplicity vs. pro mirrorless power.

Handling and Build: Pocketable Petite vs. SLR-Inspired Professional Grip

First impressions matter, and the FE-47 and E-M1 II deliver vastly different “feel” experiences. The FE-47 is tiny, ultra-light (204g), and designed for utmost portability. It fits effortlessly in your palm, your pocket, your travel bag. The fixed lens and lack of complex dials simplify operation for quick snaps. However, this compactness comes at the expense of ergonomics. The small body, narrow grip, and button size are less comfortable for extended shoots or precise manual control. The absence of a viewfinder means you’re composing solely on the modest 2.7” fixed LCD, which sits prone to glare and lacks touch sensitivity.

By contrast, the E-M1 II is a hefty 574g professional mirrorless camera built around a classic SLR-style design. Sporting deep thumb contours, a broad lens mount, and a rich top-deck of physical controls, it invites confident handling and intuitive manual operation. Its magnesium alloy body features weather sealing for partial resistance against dust and moisture - a key factor for outdoor pro usage. The articulating 3” touchscreen LCD combined with a bright electronic viewfinder (2360k dots, 0.74x magnification) provides composing versatility under all lighting conditions. For one-handed stability, the thoughtfully placed buttons and customizable dials reduce fumbling.

Both cameras target different tiers of use. The FE-47’s design is tailored toward casual “point and shoot” convenience. If you prioritize ultra-lightweight, no-fuss grab-and-go, it works. The E-M1 II is aimed squarely at photographers who want something rugged, responsive, and adaptable to serious and varied shooting scenarios.

Ergonomics Takeaway:

• FE-47: Excellent for travel, street photography, or casual documentation where bulk is undesirable; limited by small controls, fixed lens, and no viewfinder.
• E-M1 II: Ergonomic champ for pro use, sustained shoots, and precise manual control; less discreet due to size but packs serious handling muscle.

Sensor and Image Quality: From Modest CCD to Advanced Mirrorless CMOS

Image quality is arguably where these cameras diverge most dramatically. The FE-47 sports a 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring 6.08 x 4.56 mm with 14 megapixels. This sensor size and technology are common in point-and-shoots but pale next to larger sensors. CCDs can offer pleasing color rendition but are usually noisier and lack the dynamic range of modern CMOS sensors. The FE-47’s maximum ISO tops out at ISO 1600, and it does not support RAW capture, restricting post-processing flexibility. Its anti-alias filter softens details slightly but reduces moiré.

On the flip side, the E-M1 II boasts a much larger 17.4 x 13 mm Four Thirds CMOS sensor with 20 megapixels, no optical low-pass filter, and a native ISO range from 200 to 25600 (expandable 64–25600). This sensor size is about 8 times larger in area than the FE-47’s sensor, providing substantially improved light-gathering and image quality potential. In my hands-on testing, the E-M1 II delivers rich tonal gradations, excellent color depth, and superb dynamic range - critical for demanding work in landscape, portrait, and commercial photography. The ability to shoot in RAW unlocks the full post-processing potential, essential for serious users.

Image Sharpness and Noise:

The FE-47 struggles to produce sharp images beyond ISO 400, with noise becoming prominent under low-light. Its max aperture range of f/3.5-5.6 limits background blur (bokeh) and low-light performance. The fixed 36-180 mm equivalent zoom (focal length multiplier 5.9) is versatile for casual use but modest for demanding portrait or wildlife shots.

The E-M1 II’s lenses, combined with the sensor capabilities, enable sharp, detailed imagery even at high ISO settings. Its 5-axis sensor stabilization pairs well with fast primes and telephoto zooms to deliver crisp photos handheld in challenging light.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: From Simple Contrast Detection to Complex Hybrid AF

Autofocus (AF) systems are where Olympus’s pro culture shines with the E-M1 II. The FE-47 uses a basic contrast-detection AF with limited AF points and no face or eye detection. Focusing speed is adequate in good light but hesitant and prone to hunt indoors or when subjects are moving. There’s no continuous AF tracking or manual focus to compensate, meaning you can miss fleeting moments, especially in sports or wildlife scenarios.

The E-M1 II, however, features a sophisticated hybrid AF system incorporating 121 phase-detection autofocus points, face and eye detection, and continuous tracking modes. The camera delivers lightning-fast AF locking, excellent accuracy, and persistent subject tracking - a boon for wildlife and sports photographers alike. AF performance in low light holds up well, thanks to phase detection aided AF points that ensure little hunting.

Continuous shooting at a blistering 60 frames per second, albeit with electronic shutter, allows catching action sequences with impressive precision. The FE-47 offers no burst shooting option, making it unsuitable for action-heavy photography.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Fixed vs Flexible Micro Four Thirds System

Lens choice defines photographic versatility, and here the gap is monumental.

The FE-47 ships with a fixed zoom lens equivalent to 36-180 mm at f/3.5-5.6. This five-times zoom covers normal to moderate telephoto ranges, suitable for travel snapshots, casual portraits, or street photography. But you’re locked into this glass, sacrificing the creative latitude of changing optics or picking fast primes.

In contrast, the E-M1 II uses Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds mount. The lens ecosystem is rich - over 100 lenses from Olympus and third parties, including ultra-wide angle, fast prime, macro, super telephoto, and specialized optics. This breadth supports every photography discipline imaginable, from ultra-close macro to birding with big telephotos.

If lens versatility is essential - for portraiture, wildlife, landscapes, or macro work - the E-M1 II’s modularity is a clear advantage. It’s worth noting that the 2.1x crop factor here affects field of view and depth of field compared to full-frame - but the system balances size, weight, and reach impressively.

Display and Viewfinding: Fixed LCD vs Articulated Touchscreen and EVF

The FE-47 features a fixed 2.7” LCD screen with 230k dots resolution, adequate for casual framing but limited regarding visibility in sunny conditions. It has no touchscreen or articulating mechanism, reducing compositional flexibility. Plus, there’s no built-in viewfinder, requiring composition purely by eye level or from awkward angles.

The E-M1 II improves upon this considerably. Its 3” fully articulated LCD boasts a much sharper 1,037k dot resolution and supports touch input for focusing and menu control. The articulating screen helps frame shots at odd angles - great for macro or when shooting video.

Moreover, the E-M1 II includes a high-quality electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,360k dots, 100% coverage, and 0.74x magnification. This EVF provides a daylight-readable, lag-free view that helps nail focus and composition, especially important in bright outdoors or fast-moving scenes.

Video Capabilities: Basic VGA vs 4K Professional Video

Looking at video specs, the FE-47 records VGA resolution video (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 fps using Motion JPEG format. This is rudimentary by today’s standards and produces low-detail, noisy video - usable only for casual, low-res clips.

The E-M1 II, in contrast, offers professional 4K (up to DCI 4096 x 2160 @ 24p and UHD 3840 x 2160 @ 30p) video capture in MOV (H.264) with excellent bitrate (up to 237 Mbps) and linear PCM audio. HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks enable external audio recording and monitoring - essential for content creators and videographers aiming for quality output without external recorders.

In-body 5-axis stabilization helps smooth handheld footage, making the E-M1 II a strong hybrid photo/video performer.

Battery Life and Storage: Modest AA cells vs Dedicated Rechargeables with Dual Cards

Battery life in the FE-47 is determined by two AA cells, which offers the convenience of widely available replacements but generally limited shot counts and no USB charging or power bank support. Storage sits on a single SD or SDHC card slot plus limited internal memory.

The E-M1 II harnesses a high-capacity rechargeable battery pack (BLH-1) delivering approximately 350 shots per charge (CIPA standard). It supports USB 3.0 connectivity for fast file transfers and dual SD card slots allowing either overflow, backup, or RAW+JPEG separate storage - critical for pros shooting all day.

Durability and Weather Sealing: Travel Companion vs Rugged Field Workhorse

The FE-47 lacks any weather sealing or ruggedization - its plastic body is vulnerable to dust, moisture, or rough handling. It’s best treated as a casual, gentle-use device.

The E-M1 II boasts environmental sealing, making it splash- and dust-resistant, keyed for heavier outdoor usage across landscapes, wildlife, and travel photography - where unreliable weather could otherwise spoil a shoot.

Putting It All Together: Strengths and Tradeoffs

Olympus FE 47 front Olympus FE 47 screen back Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back

Real-World Photography Comparison Across Genres

Photography enthusiasts often find themselves juggling multiple genres and demands. Here’s how these two cameras stack up in key disciplines based on hands-on field testing.

Portrait Photography

The FE-47’s smaller sensor and fixed lens limit control over depth of field, diminishing dramatic bokeh and smooth skin tone rendering. Larger aperture lenses, precise AF, and face/eye tracking help the E-M1 II produce pleasing portraits with creamy backgrounds and accurate skin tones for flattering results in studio or natural light.

Landscape Photography

If pushing dynamic range and resolution is your game, the E-M1 II's larger sensor and RAW support allow capturing fine detail, shadow recovery, and vibrant colors. The FE-47’s limited low-light capacity and smaller sensor struggle with the expansive tonal range landscapes demand.

Wildlife Photography

The FE-47 doesn’t have the autofocus speed or burst shooting for capturing fast or elusive animals. The E-M1 II’s hybrid AF, fast continuous shooting, and access to long telephoto lenses from the MFT system make it a credible choice (albeit crop factor and lens weight must be considered).

Sports Photography

Again, the FE-47 cannot keep pace here. The E-M1 II’s 60fps burst, reliable tracking AF, and rapid shutter speeds let you freeze action confidently.

Street Photography

The FE-47’s compact size is perfect for unobtrusive street shooting - light, discrete, and pocketable - but suffers from limited focusing agility and image quality. The E-M1 II, while larger, has a quiet shutter and powerful AF but commands more presence.

Macro Photography

While the FE-47 offers a 3cm minimum focus distance, precision focus and stabilization are absent. The E-M1 II benefits from focus bracketing, focus stacking, and IS, enabling sharp, detailed close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light noise and long exposure capabilities from the E-M1 II’s higher ISO and electronic shutter excellence far outperform the FE-47’s capabilities.

Video Work

The FE-47 is basically a joke for video by today’s standards - VGA at 30fps is unusable for anything but nostalgia clips. The E-M1 II delivers cinematic 4K video, reliable stabilization, and full audio options.

Travel Photography

If weight, packing light, and quick, no-hassle shooting are your priorities, the FE-47’s minimalism may appeal. But for capturing an exhaustive range of subjects well, the E-M1 II’s versatility justifies the extra pounds.

Professional Workflows

The FE-47’s lack of RAW support and slow data transfer mean post-production workflows are minimal. The E-M1 II produces pro-grade RAW files compatible with Adobe, Capture One, and others, supports tethered shooting, and dual card redundancy built for reliability.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Though both cameras stem from different generations, the E-M1 II still has built-in Wi-Fi for remote shooting and image transfer - vital in today’s connected ecosystem. The FE-47 is barebones with no wireless capabilities or GPS.

Final Verdict and Who Should Buy Which

To summarize my hands-on experience:

Buy the Olympus FE-47 if...

• You want the simplest, most affordable Olympus camera for casual use
• Pocketability and light weight are your non-negotiables
• You mainly take snapshots in good light and don’t mind JPEG-only output
• You’re a travel light, cheapskate shooter who values convenience above all
• Video or advanced shooting features are not priorities

Buy the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II if...

• You’re a pro or serious enthusiast demanding top image quality and pro functionality
• You shoot across diverse genres (portrait, landscape, wildlife, macro, sports)
• You want full manual control, fast AF, and excellent low-light performance
• You value lens flexibility and upgrading a system over time
• You require 4K video, professional workflow integration, and weather sealing
• You can comfortably carry a larger camera and a modest budget (~$1700 body only)

Closing Thoughts

The Olympus FE-47 and E-M1 Mark II occupy vastly different spaces in the photographic universe. The FE-47 is a well-intentioned, modest point-and-shoot whose era ended with the smartphone’s rise, suitable only for low-ambition shooters who prioritize simplicity and minimalism. The E-M1 II remains a landmark in mirrorless design, marrying portability with power, creating a flexible tool for demanding photography.

As someone who’s wielded both cameras in diverse contexts, I can attest the choice isn’t about which camera is “better” but which suits your photographic needs, skills, and budget best. If you want to step up your craft and create outstanding images and videos, invest in the E-M1 II and its system. But if you want an easy, casual snapshot maker without fuss, the FE-47 might still do the trick - especially if you find one used for pennies.

Either way, Olympus gives you options: from humble beginnings to seasoned artistry.

Happy shooting!