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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • New Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Released August 2020
  • New Model is Panasonic S5 II
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic S5, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the S5 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and S5 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was released 4 years earlier than the S5 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the E-M1 II scores against the S5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic S5

 E-M1 II S5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 S5 E-M1 II 
ReleasedAugust 2020September 2016More modern by 47 months
Screen resolution1840k1037kClearer screen (+803k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic S5

 E-M1 II S5 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3.0"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera often, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II enjoys 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) and the Panasonic S5 has proportions of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 II versus Panasonic S5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II compared to the S5.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and S5 is 68 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The picture below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and S5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic S5 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 II will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography info
Panasonic S5 Portrait photography info
75
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
85
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography factors
Panasonic S5 Street photography factors
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
good high ISO (25,600)
78
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography advice
Panasonic S5 Sports photography advice
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high max fps (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S5 Travel photography highlights
72
lighter than competitors in class (574 grams)
environment proofing
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery life (350 shots)
79
environment sealing
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography advice
Panasonic S5 Landscape photography advice
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (350 per charge)
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.0 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Panasonic S5 Vlogging information
79
screen is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone support
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic S5
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-09-19 2020-08-14
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Total lenses 107 31
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.0 inches
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 1,840 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 7.0fps
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) no built-in flash
Flash options 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 714 gr (1.57 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 440 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots Two Two
Launch cost $1,700 $1,999