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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs

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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-P2
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Olympus. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-P1 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was launched 7 years after the E-P1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-M1 II grades vs the E-P1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-P1

 E-M1 II E-P1 
RevealedSeptember 2016July 2009Newer by 87 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-P1 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P1

 E-M1 II E-P1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II features exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Olympus E-P1 has specifications of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the E-P1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and E-P1 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and E-P1.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1 II to render more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger E-M1 II provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Portrait photography camera
75
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
60
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography highlights
Olympus E-P1 Street photography highlights
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography details
Olympus E-P1 Sports photography details
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography details
Olympus E-P1 Travel photography details
72
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
weather proof
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (350 per charge)
43
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (300 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
76
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
60
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging details
Olympus E-P1 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone support
lighter than competition in class (574g)
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-P1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-P1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-P1
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2009-07-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings 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, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lbs) 355 grams (0.78 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 55
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 10.4
DXO Low light score 1312 536
Other
Battery life 350 images 300 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Two Single
Launch cost $1,700 $182