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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M5 II
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and both are manufactured by Olympus. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-M5 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was announced 4 years after the E-M5 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the E-M1 II matches up against the E-M5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-M5

 E-M1 II E-M5 
IntroducedSeptember 2016April 2012More modern by 54 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k610kSharper display (+427k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-M5 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-M5

 E-M1 II E-M5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II has exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M5 has measurements of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the E-M5.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and E-M5 is 68 and 81 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The pic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and E-M5.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1 II to give you extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-M5 as a Portrait photography camera
75
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
71
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography highlights
Olympus E-M5 Street photography highlights
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features touch to focus
environment sealing
lighter than competitors (574g)
great ISO range (25,600)
82
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-M5 Sports photography highlights
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
bad battery power (350 shots)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-M5 as a Travel photography camera
72
lighter than competitors (574g)
environment sealing
features touch to focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery power (350 per charge)
66
weather proof
boasts touch focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography factors
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
bad battery power (350 shots)
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-M5 Vlogging highlights
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone support
lighter than competitors (574g)
34
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-M5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus OM-D E-M5
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2012-04-30
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 610k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 1,440k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.58x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
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 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 pounds) 425g (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 71
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 12.3
DXO Low light score 1312 826
Other
Battery life 350 shots 360 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two One
Cost at launch $1,700 $799