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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced May 2013
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both sold by Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was released 3 years later than the E-PM2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-M1 II scores against the E-PM2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-M1 II E-PM2 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016May 2013More recent by 41 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-PM2 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PM2

 E-M1 II E-PM2 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II offers physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM2 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-M1 II against the E-PM2.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and E-PM2 is 68 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and E-PM2.

Clearly, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M1 II to give extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images way more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography factors
75
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
78
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
offers touch focus
weather proofing
lighter than competition in class (574g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM2
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (350 shots)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
72
lighter than competition in class (574g)
weather proofing
offers touch focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
66
provides focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography info
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery life (350 shots)
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic port
lighter than competition in class (574g)
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-PM2
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-09-19 2013-05-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
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 4:3
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection 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
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
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)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 80 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 12.2
DXO Low light score 1312 932
Other
Battery life 350 images 360 images
Battery form 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 recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual Single
Pricing at release $1,700 $448