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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Released September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Revealed February 2019
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic S1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the S1 (24MP) is very comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and S1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 II was launched 3 years earlier than the S1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-M1 II grades vs the S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic S1

 E-M1 II S1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 S1 E-M1 II 
RevealedFebruary 2019September 2016More modern by 28 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1037kClearer display (+1063k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic S1

 E-M1 II S1 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 II features outer measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1 has sizing of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 II versus the S1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and S1 is 68 and 54 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and S1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II due to its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic S1 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 II will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography information
76
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
85
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography details
Panasonic S1 Street photography details
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather proof
lighter than competition (574 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
70
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than others (1,021 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Panasonic S1
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proofing
terrible battery (380 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography advice
Panasonic S1 Travel photography advice
72
lighter than competition (574 grams)
weather proof
supports focus by touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
low battery pack (350 shots)
59
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
terrible battery (380 CIPA)
more heavy than others (1,021g)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography details
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery (380 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 II
Vlogging with Panasonic S1
79
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external microphone jack
lighter than competition (574 grams)
32
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,021g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic S1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2016-09-19 2019-02-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Amount of lenses 107 30
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dot 2,100 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 pounds) 1021 grams (2.25 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 95
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 25.2
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 14.5
DXO Low light score 1312 3333
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 380 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots -
Storage slots Dual Dual
Retail cost $1,700 $2,498