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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • Announced September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic FS15, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Ultracompact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and FS15 (12MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and FS15 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was brought out 7 years after the FS15 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-M1 II scores against the FS15 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Panasonic FS15

 E-M1 II FS15 
IntroducedSeptember 2016January 2009More modern by 94 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 FS15 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic FS15

 E-M1 II FS15 

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II offers 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 Panasonic FS15 has dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic FS15 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 II against the FS15.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and FS15 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The image here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and FS15.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will offer greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FS15 Portrait photography factors
75
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
good ISO range (25,600)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Panasonic FS15
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FS15 Travel photography highlights
72
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
environment proof
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography factors
Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography factors
76
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery life (350 shots)
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Panasonic FS15 Vlogging information
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (574 grams)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Category Pro Mirrorless Ultracompact
Announced 2016-09-19 2009-01-16
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 1600
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 29-145mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) -
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 Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 640x480
Video file format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 grams (1.27 pounds) 136 grams (0.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 2 One
Retail pricing $1,700 $180