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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-M1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus TG-860
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus TG-870, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Ultracompact and they are both offered by Olympus. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and TG-870 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and TG-870 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was released 9 months later than the TG-870 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 II grades vs the TG-870 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus TG-870

 E-M1 II TG-870 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016January 2016More recent by 9 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 TG-870 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus TG-870

 E-M1 II TG-870 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II provides exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Olympus TG-870 has measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus TG-870 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II and the TG-870.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and TG-870 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and TG-870.

All in all, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-M1 II will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 II is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography information
76
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
36
megapixel count good (16MP)
features face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Olympus TG-870 as a Street photography camera
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
offers touch to focus
environment proof
lighter than average (574g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
65
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
more heavy than others in class (221 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography highlights
Olympus TG-870 Sports photography highlights
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery power (350 shots)
51
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery power (300 shots)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography info
Olympus TG-870 Travel photography info
72
lighter than average (574 grams)
environment proof
offers touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery power (350 per charge)
69
great battery power (300 shots)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (21mm)
more heavy than others in class (221g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography advice
Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography advice
76
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
50
relatively wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proofing
great battery power (300 shots)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging info
Olympus TG-870 Vlogging info
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone port
lighter than average (574 grams)
32
relatively wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone support
more heavy than others in class (221 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus TG-870 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus TG-870
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus Stylus Tough TG-870
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870
Class Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Launched 2016-09-19 2016-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 alias 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 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 200 125
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest 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 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 lbs) 221g (0.49 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 300 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 One
Price at launch $1,700 $280