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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus SZ-15 front
Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus SZ-15
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced June 2013
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 Overview

Here is a extensive analysis of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus SZ-15, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Olympus. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and SZ-15 (1/2.3") posses different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 II was brought out 3 years later than the SZ-15 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the E-M1 II scores versus the SZ-15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus SZ-15

 E-M1 II SZ-15 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016June 2013Fresher by 40 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-15 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 SZ-15 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus SZ-15

 E-M1 II SZ-15 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys outside measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-15 has measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus SZ-15 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II against the SZ-15.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and SZ-15 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and SZ-15.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will provide greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-15
75
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
44
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography details
Olympus SZ-15 Street photography details
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
lighter than others (574 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (250g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-15
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
53
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography advice
Olympus SZ-15 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than others (574g)
environment proofing
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (350 shots)
68
lighter than competitors (250g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
very long zoom (483mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography features
Olympus SZ-15 Landscape photography features
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
bad battery pack (350 per charge)
49
has manual focus
relatively wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-15
79
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
lighter than others (574g)
34
relatively wide (23mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (250g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus SZ-15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus SZ-15
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus SZ-15
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus SZ-15
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2016-09-19 2013-06-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 23-483mm (21.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 m
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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MOV, H.264 AVI MPEG4, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 pounds) 250g (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 SLB-10A
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Two 1
Cost at launch $1,700 $200