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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus XZ-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus XZ-1, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both manufactured by Olympus. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and XZ-1 (10MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and XZ-1 (1/1.63") provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was announced 5 years later than the XZ-1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple view of how the E-M1 II matches up vs the XZ-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus XZ-1

 E-M1 II XZ-1 
LaunchedSeptember 2016January 2011More recent by 69 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k614kSharper display (+423k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 XZ-1 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus XZ-1

 E-M1 II XZ-1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with exterior dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Olympus XZ-1 has proportions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II versus Olympus XZ-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the E-M1 II and the XZ-1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and XZ-1 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The visual here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and XZ-1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II with its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1 II will produce extra detail with its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography features
Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography features
75
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
45
manual focus
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography info
Olympus XZ-1 Street photography info
78
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
includes touch to focus
weather sealing
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (275g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography factors
Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography factors
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (350 shots)
38
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery power (320 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Olympus XZ-1
72
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
weather sealing
includes touch to focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
low battery life (350 CIPA)
62
good battery power (320 per charge)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (275 grams)
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography features
Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography features
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (350 CIPA)
54
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
good battery power (320 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/1.63")
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging details
Olympus XZ-1 Vlogging details
79
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has mic jack
lighter than average in class (574g)
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (275 grams)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus XZ-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus XZ-1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus XZ-1
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2016-09-19 2011-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII TruePic V
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 3664 x 2752
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
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 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 614k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 8.60 m (ISO 800)
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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 574g (1.27 lbs) 275g (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 34
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 18.8
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 10.4
DXO Low light score 1312 117
Other
Battery life 350 photos 320 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 Li-50B
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 1
Launch cost $1,700 $567