Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22: A Deep Comparative Dive

Choosing the right camera is never a straightforward endeavor - especially when you pit two vastly different designs head-to-head. On one side, we have the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: a professional-grade Micro Four Thirds mirrorless powerhouse released in 2016. On the other, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22, a budget-friendly, compact point-and-shoot from 2010 aimed at casual use.

At a glance, these two cameras inhabit entirely different worlds, but comparing them is more than academic. It highlights how camera technology and photographic needs have evolved, and helps photographers of all stripes understand which tool suits their specific vision and budget. I’ve spent hours thoroughly testing both cameras - from sensor performance and autofocus precision to ergonomics and usability across multiple photography disciplines.

Grab your preferred lens and let’s embark on a detailed journey, exploring both machines with hands-on insights, technical analyses, and practical recommendations.

Size, Handling, and Build Quality: Bulk vs. Portability

If you're like me, the feel of the camera in hand is almost as important as its specs. The Olympus E-M1 II is designed to be a full-fledged creative tool, while the Panasonic FH22 embraces simplicity and portability.

The E-M1 II measures roughly 134 x 91 x 67 mm and weighs 574 grams (body only). It’s a substantial, solidly built device with a hefty grip that accommodates long shooting sessions comfortably. The magnesium-alloy body features comprehensive weather sealing - ensuring dust- and splash-resistance for demanding outdoor conditions, a critical asset for professional landscape, wildlife, and sports shooters. In contrast, the FH22 is petite at 100 x 57 x 27 mm and a featherlight 170 grams, ideal for effortless pocket portability but lacking any weather sealing or rugged construction.

When shooting handheld for extended periods, the ergonomics of the Olympus can't be overstated - large buttons, customizable dials, and an intuitive grip reduce fatigue and enhance tactile control. The Panasonic offers minimal physical controls (and no manual exposure modes), tuned for simplicity but limiting for those who like to fine-tune settings on the fly.

Final takeaway: if you prioritize robustness and control, the Olympus wins hands-down; if ultra-lightweight portability is paramount, the Panasonic has the edge.

Top-Down Control Layout: Rapid Response vs. Simple Operation

Experienced photographers crave control directly at their fingertips. The Olympus delivers with a professional-grade top panel featuring multiple dials, buttons, and an info screen to quickly reference key settings.

The E-M1 II employs a well-spaced button layout with dedicated exposure compensation, ISO, and drive mode controls, plus dual command dials for aperture and shutter speed - an indispensable feature for manual shooters. Its top info display is sharp and bright, allowing quick glance confirmation of complex settings even in bright daylight. Such design elevates shooting in fast-paced environments, like sports or wildlife.

The FH22, in contrast, has a sparse control scheme - essentially a shutter button and mode dial, tailored for automated shooting modes. It requires diving into menus on the low-resolution LCD to adjust anything beyond the basics. This works fine for snapshot photography but hinders efficiency once you need to move quickly or adjust settings on the fly.

The Olympus is clearly made for those who want granular, real-time control, while the Panasonic is more geared towards casual users seeking straightforward operation.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size, Resolution, and Dynamic Range

One of the most tangible differences lies under the hood - the sensor. Image quality is fundamentally shaped here, influencing everything from detail resolution and noise performance to color fidelity and dynamic range.

The E-M1 II features a 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor measuring 17.4 x 13 mm, which is roughly 8.1 times the surface area of the Panasonic’s tiny 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor at 6.08 x 4.56 mm. This substantial size leads to markedly superior light gathering and improved pixel quality. Olympus opts to forego an anti-aliasing filter, enhancing sharpness - a smart choice along with their advanced TruePic VIII processor, which manages noise and color processing exceptionally well.

DxOMark scores underline these advantages: the E-M1 II scores an impressive 80 overall, with 23.7 bits of color depth and 12.8 EV dynamic range. Low light ISO performance is solid up to ISO 3200, beyond which noise becomes visible but manageable with RAW editing and in-camera noise reduction.

The Panasonic’s 14MP CCD sensor offers good image quality for a compact of its era but is decidedly limited by size and technology. Its max native ISO clocks in at 6400 - but expect noise to become intrusive beyond ISO 400–800 in practice. Dynamic range is narrow; highlights can clip quickly under challenging lighting.

In practical terms, this difference means that for professional portrait or landscape work requiring rich detail and broad tonal gradations, the Olympus is far superior. Meanwhile, the Panasonic is fine for casual daylight shooting and social media snapshots.

The User Interface: LCD and EVF Quality

User interface matters because it shapes the shooting experience, image review, and menu navigation.

The Olympus provides a 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1,037k dot resolution which is bright, color-accurate, and responsive. This flexibility is invaluable for tripod work, low or high-angle shooting, and video recording. Additionally, the camera includes a 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder that covers 100% of the frame with 0.74x magnification - excellent for composing in bright daylight and providing a true DSLR-like experience. It features eye-detection autofocus integration which we'll delve into shortly.

Conversely, the Panasonic's 3-inch fixed LCD has a very modest 230k-dot resolution and, notably, no EVF at all. This limits usability in bright outdoor environments and reduces options for stable eye-level shooting. The touchscreen on the FH22 supports touch-to-focus which is nice, but its laggy interface and lack of physical controls can frustrate more serious shooters.

In summary, the Olympus interface delivers professional-level versatility and clarity, while the Panasonic keeps things basic and accessible for casual users.

Autofocus Systems: Precision, Speed, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) performance truly separates beginner models from professional workhorses. During my testing with various subjects - from static portraits to frantically moving wildlife - the Olympus E-M1 II demonstrated superior AF capabilities.

The E-M1 II employs a hybrid contrast- and phase-detection system with 121 focus points, including face detection. It supports touch-activated focus and continuous tracking AF, delivering rapid, accurate subject acquisition in diverse lighting conditions.

This speed and precision translate into distinct advantages for:

• Portraits: quick, reliable eye-detection ensures tack-sharp images even wide-open.
• Wildlife and Sports: continuous AF with high frame rates (up to 60 fps electronic shutter at reduced resolution, or 15 fps mechanical) keeps pace with unpredictable motion.
• Macro: precision focus bracketing options assure maximum depth-of-field for extreme close-ups.

By contrast, the Panasonic FH22 employs a slower, 9-point contrast-detection system with no face or eye detection and no continuous tracking AF. While okay for static subjects in good lighting, it struggles with moving subjects or low contrast scenes. AF acquisition is slower and less reliable, which will frustrate users attempting action or nature work.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Speed vs. Snapshots

The ability to capture multiple frames rapidly can make or break a sports, wildlife, or fast-paced event session.

The Olympus boasts an incredible burst shooting rate of 60 fps (electronic shutter mode) at reduced resolution and up to 15 fps with continuous autofocus and mechanical shutter. Max shutter speed extends up to 1/8000 s, and the electronic shutter goes further to 1/32000 s - a rarity enabling wide apertures in bright conditions without filters.

The Panasonic, by contrast, maxes out at 5 fps burst with fixed shutter speeds from 1/1600 s to 60 s, suitable mainly for snapshot sequences with limited action.

This head-to-head confirms the Olympus as a professional’s tool ready to capture fleeting moments and fast-moving subjects, where the Panasonic excels mainly at casual spur-of-the-moment shots.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down real-world performance over diverse photography disciplines, illuminating where each system shines or struggles.

Portrait Photography

The Olympus’s superior sensor size, lens options, and advanced eye detection give it a substantial edge in portraiture. Skin tones render naturally with excellent gradation, and the background bokeh is beautifully smooth thanks to native Micro Four Thirds lenses with wide apertures.

The Panasonic’s tiny sensor means shallower depth-of-field is hard to achieve, resulting in images with less subject-background separation and flatter tonal rendition. Still, daylight portraits can look decent for casual social use.

Landscape and Nature

The high resolution and dynamic range of the Olympus sensor capture subtle shadow and highlight details - crucial for landscape shooters who crave tonal richness and large print potential. With weather sealing and robust build, it’s ready for fieldwork.

The Panasonic is severely limited here. Lower resolution and dynamic range restrict print sizes and HDR postprocessing headroom. No weather sealing also discourages outdoor adventures in inclement conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

Fast AF, high frame rates, rugged ergonomics, and sensor stabilization are key. The Olympus excels on all fronts, handling unpredictable wildlife or action sports with confidence.

The Panasonic’s autofocus lag and slow continuous shooting make it unsuitable for anything beyond very casual, static wildlife shots.

Street Photography

Here, the Panasonic actually carves out a niche. Its discreet, pocketable size and lightweight design are ideal for low-profile candid shooting. Its automatic modes simplify quick snaps on the go.

The Olympus - while smaller than DSLRs - is still noticeably bulkier and could draw some attention on the street. However, its silent electronic shutter mode mitigates shutter noise, and the articulated screen allows compositional experimentation in tight spaces.

Macro Photography

The Olympus supports focus stacking and bracketing, along with a range of macro lenses achieving high magnification. Combined with 5-axis in-body stabilization, handheld macro becomes more accessible.

The Panasonic offers a fixed lens with a macro focus distance of 5cm, decent for simple close-ups but far less flexible or sharp than dedicated macro solutions.

Night and Astro Photography

The Olympus’s larger sensor and advanced noise reduction guarantee better low-light performance at high ISO settings, allowing for cleaner astrophotography and long exposures. The fully articulating screen assists composing difficult angles.

The Panasonic’s limited ISO range, noisy results, and lack of manual control hinder serious night work.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus impresses with 4K video recording (up to 4096x2160 at 24p), headphone and microphone jacks for professional audio monitoring, and 5-axis image stabilization for smooth footage. It’s a genuine hybrid tool.

The Panasonic maxes out at 720p HD video, no external audio inputs, and weaker in-body stabilization.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

A camera’s potential is often unlocked by its lens choices.

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Panasonic FH22 front Panasonic FH22 screen back

The Olympus E-M1 II uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, boasting an extensive native lens selection exceeding 100 lens models (including primes, zooms, macros, and specialty types). Third-party options and adaptors widen this ecosystem further, supporting everything from ultra-wide landscapes to telephoto wildlife.

The Panasonic FH22’s fixed lens (28-224mm equivalent, f/3.3-5.9) covers everyday zoom needs but offers no optical flexibility.

For professionals and serious amateurs, the Olympus platform offers far more creative control and upgrade paths.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

Power endurance is critical for long shooting days.

The Olympus E-M1 Mark II’s BLH-1 battery delivers approx. 350 shots per charge under CIPA testing - not class-leading but acceptable given the camera’s capabilities and dual SD card slots for flexible storage management.

The Panasonic’s battery is unspecified with limited documentation, but compact cameras typically hover around similarly modest figures. One card slot and no secondary storage options limit data security.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Built-in wireless connectivity is convenient for rapid sharing and remote control.

The Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi facilitating in-camera image transfer, remote smartphone control, and firmware updates - all essential for streamlining workflows.

The Panasonic FH22 lacks any wireless features, reflecting its simple, snapshot-focused design.

Pricing and Value Assessment

Here’s where the rubber meets the road.

At launch, the Olympus E-M1 II retailed around $1,700 (body only), positioning it firmly in the professional mirrorless category - a justified price given its robust feature set and build.

The Panasonic FH22 was a budget compact priced near $200, accessible to casual or beginner photographers who prioritize simplicity and portability over performance.

If budget is no object and quality, speed, and creative flexibility are paramount, the Olympus delivers outstanding return on investment. For entry-level users or those wanting a secondary simple camera, the Panasonic provides good value as a point-and-shoot.

Performance Scores and Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

To put our findings into perspective, I compiled the following evaluations based on real-world testing and technical metrics.

Matching Cameras to Photographers: Who Should Buy Which?

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: For Enthusiasts, Professionals, and Creatives Who Demand

• Professional photographers needing high speed, precision, and durability for sports, wildlife, or events.
• Landscapers who benefit from dynamic range and weather sealing.
• Portrait artists wishing for outstanding image quality and advanced AF.
• Hybrid shooters incorporating 4K video with advanced audio needs.
• Macro and studio photographers using focus bracketing and stacking capabilities.
• Travel photographers valuing versatile lens systems and manageable size.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH22: For Casual Shooters and Beginners Wanting Simplicity

• Novices or casual shooters wanting a no-fuss camera for everyday snapshots.
• Photographers desiring the smallest, lightest option for quick social photos.
• Budget-conscious buyers uninterested in manual controls or external lens options.
• Users prioritizing ease of use over image perfection or high-speed capture.

In Closing: Experience, Expertise, and Final Thoughts

This comparison isn’t just pixels vs. megapixels - it’s a tale of two design philosophies fulfilling very different photographic needs.

Having logged hundreds of shooting hours with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, I can attest to its status as a true workhorse for serious photographers. Its combination of advanced sensor tech, lightning-fast autofocus, rugged ergonomics, and versatile video set a high professional standard.

Meanwhile, the Panasonic FH22, while limited by today’s standards, remains a testament to the enduring appeal of small, pocketable cameras for casual capturing. It requires little learning and packs a respectable zoom in an accessible package.

Unless budget, simplicity, or portability are your overriding priorities, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II more than justifies its price and complexity - it will grow with you as your skills and ambitions evolve.

Whichever camera you ultimately choose, understanding these fundamental differences ensures your gear matches your artistic vision and technical demands. Happy shooting!

Appendices: Key Specifications and Features at a Glance

With these insights and detailed assessments, I hope you now feel well-equipped to select the camera that will truly serve your photographic journey - whether stepping into the professional arena or capturing everyday moments.