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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 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-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL7
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus E-PL6, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-PL6 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was brought out 2 years later than the E-PL6 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the E-M1 II grades versus the E-PL6 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-PL6

 E-M1 II E-PL6 
LaunchedSeptember 2016August 2014More recent by 26 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-PL6 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL6

 E-M1 II E-PL6 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II has got outside measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL6 has proportions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus E-PL6 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 II against the E-PL6.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and E-PL6 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The photograph here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and E-PL6.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-M1 II to result in more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Portrait photography camera
75
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Olympus E-PL6
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
85
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL6 Sports photography highlights
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (350 per charge)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-PL6 Travel photography highlights
72
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
weather proof
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
85
offers focus via touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography advice
76
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
bad battery power (350 shots)
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging features
79
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone socket
lighter than competition in class (574g)
79
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have mic jack
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL6
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-PL6
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-PL6
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-09-19 2014-08-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
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, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lbs) 325 gr (0.72 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 360 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two One
Retail price $1,700 $300