Olympus E-M1 Mark II vs Panasonic FX580: A Deep Dive Into Two Different Worlds of Photography

When it comes to choosing a camera, the decision can often come down not only to specs on paper but real-world usability, ergonomics, and how well a system supports your specific photographic pursuits. Today, I’m bringing an insightful comparison between two very different cameras that nevertheless attract enthusiasts for distinct reasons: the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, a professional-grade mirrorless system camera, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580, an ultra-compact point-and-shoot from a previous generation.

This isn’t a head-to-head of equals - it never could be; these cameras occupy entirely different categories and market segments. But for anyone navigating the spectrum from casual snapshooting to serious creative work, it’s invaluable to see how these models stack up in practical use, across disciplines, and through the lens of seasoned experience. Over hundreds of hours of testing and thousands of shots, here’s how these two contenders perform - and which demands your hard-won dollars.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

The Olympus E-M1 II arrives with a heft and solidity that immediately signals a serious tool. Styled as a pro mirrorless with a classic SLR-type body, its magnesium alloy frame offers not only durability but significant weather sealing, crucial for outdoor and adventure photographers. Weighing 574 grams with dimensions of 134x91x67 mm, it sits comfortably in the hands of those accustomed to larger cameras without becoming unwieldy. The full articulating 3-inch touchscreen is responsive and facilitates creative angles.

In contrast, the Panasonic FX580 is a compact powerhouse from a bygone era, designed for portability. Its petite frame (95x57x22 mm) and featherweight design (167 grams) make it incredibly pocketable - perfect for spontaneous street or travel photography where discretion and minimalism reign supreme. However, that small form factor comes with compromises in ergonomics and controls, which feel cramped and less intuitive for prolonged shooting sessions.

Here’s a visual size comparison to contextualize the difference in physical presence:

Ergonomics verdict: The Olympus commands with professional handling features - customizable buttons, firm grip, and rugged build - whereas the Panasonic appeals with featherlight simplicity ideal for casual outings.

Design and Control Layout: Ergonomics Meet Efficiency

I often stress that in-camera controls and interface tailoring - not just specs - are paramount in capturing decisive moments. The Olympus excels here with an intelligently arranged top deck, populated by dials and switches that give immediate access to shooting modes, exposure compensation, ISO, and drive modes. The touchscreen support complements physical operation, making menu navigation fluid but tactile shooting primary.

The Panasonic FX580 offers a more Spartan top plate, reflecting its compact heritage and limited control scheme. Key functions such as zoom, shutter, and basic mode selection are present, but there’s no external dial for manual exposure; this restrictions creative flexibility if you want to go beyond point-and-shoot operation.

Take a look at the top view design comparison to see how these philosophies translate into layout:

Control takeaway: Olympus delivers pro-level customization and rapid-access controls; Panasonic sacrifices versatility for simplicity and ease of use.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

The Olympus E-M1 II is equipped with a Four Thirds 20-megapixel Live MOS sensor. While smaller than APS-C or full-frame, its sensor size (17.4 x 13 mm) balances resolution, noise control, and lens compactness. Coupled with the TruePic VIII processor, image output exhibits high color fidelity (23.7 bits color depth per DxO), a wide usable dynamic range of around 12.8 EV stops, and clean low-light performance up to ISO 25600 (native top ISO rating).

Meanwhile, the FX580’s 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor is notably smaller (6.08 x 4.56 mm), designed for compact convenience with a generous 5.9x focal length multiplier on its fixed lens. Although capable of 4000x3000 images, it lacks RAW shooting support and struggles more significantly in low light due to physical sensor size and read noise - ISO sensitivity peaks at 1600 natively with extension to 6400 (boosted ISO). Color depth and dynamic range weren’t tested by DxO Mark, but historically this sensor class delivers far less gradation and shadow recovery capability.

Here’s a side-by-side look at the sensor sizes we’re dealing with:

In practical shooting, Olympus’s sensor offers markedly better detail retention, improved highlight roll-off, and richer gradations - especially crucial in landscapes or portraits where tonal subtlety defines the image’s emotional impact.

Image quality summary: Olympus is a technological leap ahead, especially in pro work demanding RAW post-processing and low noise. Panasonic works well for casual snaps or daylight travel shots but cannot rival the E-M1 II’s sensor fidelity.

Rear Screen and User Interface: Composing and Reviewing with Confidence

Particularly in mirrorless cameras, the rear LCD and electronic viewfinder (EVF) elevate the shooting experience. The E-M1 II offers a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen with 1,037k-dot resolution, providing bright, sharp live view even outdoors, crucial for composing unusual angles and reviewing images on-site.

The FX580 features a fixed 3-inch LCD with just 230k-dot resolution - tolerable in bright environments but lacking the detail and flexibility modern users expect, especially when inspecting focus or exposure.

Looking at these screens side by side:

The Olympus’s EVF is no afterthought either; a 2.36 million-dot display at 0.74x magnification provides a natural and flicker-free preview with full 100% frame coverage - a blessing when tracking fast-moving subjects or manual focusing.

Display evaluation: Olympus’s advanced screen and EVF combo empower confident, precise composition and on-the-go checks - the Panasonic’s screen, while sufficient for snapshots, quickly reveals its limitations under professional or intense use.

A Gallery of Real-World Samples: Seeing Is Believing

Numbers and specs are invaluable, but actual image results tell the full story. I spent considerable time capturing a wide variety of subjects - portraits, landscapes, macros, and even some street scenes - to understand how each camera performs under different lighting and scenarios.

Here are representative images taken with both cameras, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses:

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Panasonic FX580 front Panasonic FX580 screen back

• Portraits: The E-M1 II renders skin tones beautifully, aided by an excellent Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem producing creamy, pleasing bokeh. The FX580’s output is flatter, with less subject separation.

• Landscapes: Olympus captures intricate details and retains broad dynamic range in shadows and highlights. The FX580’s smaller sensor compresses tonal gradations.

• Street: The FX580’s discreet form and rapid autofocus allow snapping candid shots without disturbing the scene. The Olympus, bulkier and louder, demands a more purposeful approach.

Autofocus Systems and Speed: Which Camera Captures That Crucial Moment Best?

Focusing speed and accuracy can make or break shoot success - particularly in sports, wildlife, or fast-paced situations.

The Olympus E-M1 II boasts a hybrid AF system with 121 focus points containing phase-detection and contrast-detection sensors. This combination enables rapid, precise autofocus with excellent subject tracking (eye detection included), and is well adapted for continuous AF during bursts up to 60 fps using the electronic shutter.

Conversely, the Panasonic’s autofocus system is contrast-detection only, with just 11 points, lacking face or eye detection. Its autofocus speed is noticeably slower, and the continuous shooting maxes at a modest 2 fps - far from ideal for dynamic subjects.

The Olympus’s AF versatility shines for wildlife and sports photographers, while the Panasonic suffices for steady, simple scenes.

Burst Shooting and Buffer Depth

Olympus’s impressive 60 fps burst (electronic shutter) and 15 fps mechanical shutter rates enable capturing decisive action moments without missing a beat, an asset in both sports and wildlife photography. Buffer depths are generous, accommodating dozens of RAW files consecutively.

The FX580’s 2 fps burst is constrained by limited processing power and buffer, making it more suited to single shots or slower sequences.

Image Stabilization Systems: Staying Sharp When It Counts

The E-M1 II’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system is among the best available, compensating for pitch, yaw, roll, and horizontal/vertical shifts. This provides sharp handheld shots in low light and at longer focal lengths, and complements Olympus’s focus bracketing and stacking features for macro or landscape work.

Meanwhile, the FX580 employs optical image stabilization within the lens - effective but limited against complex motions or very low shutter speeds.

This distinction becomes critical for handheld shooting scenarios that demand precision and sharpness without tripods.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready for the Elements?

The Olympus delivers professional-grade environmental sealing - dust, splash, and freeze-proofing - enabling photographers to work confidently in challenging outdoor conditions.

The Panasonic carries no such protection, designed primarily for casual indoor and fair-weather use.

Lens Ecosystem and Future Growth Potential

A major advantage for the Olympus system is the extensive Micro Four Thirds lens library, featuring over 100 lens options ranging from primes and macros to professional telephotos with fast apertures. This system versatility supports a broad spectrum of photographic genres and creative expressions.

The Panasonic’s fixed zoom lens (25-125 mm equivalent) covers a reasonable focal range but locks users into limited aperture and optical performance, with no upgrade path.

Video Capabilities: Which Camera Excels in Motion?

For multimedia creators, video features are decisive.

The Olympus supports 4K UHD recording at 24/30 fps and delivers clean 4K footage at up to 237 Mbps data rates, including high-quality stereo audio inputs and headphone monitoring. IBIS also aids hand-held video stability.

The Panasonic’s maximum video resolution is 720p at 30 fps, and limited to Motion JPEG format, with no microphone or headphone ports - adequate for casual clips but not professional video work.

Battery Life and Power Management

The Olympus’s BLH-1 battery provides approximately 350 shots per charge - average for mirrorless cameras with EVFs and high-performance screens. Dual SD card slots add redundancy and storage flexibility during extended shoots.

The FX580’s battery life is less documented, but lighter hardware and fewer power-hungry features translate to reasonable endurance for casual use, though it is limited to one SD slot and no dual-media backup.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Built-in Wi-Fi on the Olympus permits wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps, a boon for tethered or studio work.

The Panasonic offers no wireless connectivity, relying on USB 2.0 for transfers.

Neither camera includes GPS or NFC, but Olympus’s USB 3.0 accelerates data workflow markedly.

Real-World Use Case Breakdown: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

To synthesize this extensive analysis, here’s a practical rundown across various photography genres, assisted by our expert performance scorecard:

• Portraits: Olympus dominates with superior color depth, skin tone rendition, and bokeh control. Panasonic’s fixed lens and sensor limit portrait creativity.

• Landscape: Olympus’s sensor dynamic range, focus stacking, and weather sealing make it a clear choice.

• Wildlife: Olympus autofocus speed, burst rate, and telephoto lens options give it an edge.

• Sports: Olympus high frame rates, continuous AF, and tracking techniques put it well ahead.

• Street Photography: Panasonic’s discrete size and fast zoom lend appeal; Olympus’s bulk less so.

• Macro: Olympus’s focus bracketing and stabilization provide precision that Panasonic cannot match.

• Night/Astro: Olympus’s low-light ISO performance and exposure modes shine compared to Panasonic’s limited sensitivity.

• Travel: Panasonic’s portability is ideal for casual travel; Olympus appeals to advanced users prioritizing image quality aspect.

• Professional Work: Olympus’s ruggedness, file formats (including RAW), and workflow features cater to pro demands; Panasonic is inadequate here.

Overall Scores and Value: How Do They Stack?

Referencing an aggregate of technical benchmarks and real-world trials:

While Olympus E-M1 II carries a higher price tag (~$1700), its performance - from sensor to autofocus, build quality to lens ecosystem - justifies the investment for serious photographers seeking long-term value.

The Panasonic FX580 (~$500 when new) offers entry-level convenience and portability but is highly limited outside casual use.

Wrapping It Up: What Should You Choose?

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II isn’t just a camera; it’s a professional toolkit. Its longevity, versatility, and outstanding imaging power make it a superb choice for photographers who demand top-tier features and are ready to integrate into a mature Micro Four Thirds ecosystem. If you shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, landscapes, or video seriously, this is your workhorse.

Conversely, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 is a compact companion for casual shooters who want simple operation, easy sharing of memories, and extreme portability. It excels in street and travel snapshots where discreetness trumps ultimate image quality.

If your budget allows and creative ambition runs deep, buying the Olympus means access to a modern tool set that will evolve with you. If you want a no-fuss camera to slip into your pocket and capture moments on the fly, the Panasonic is a charming choice - but recognize the compromises.

In conclusion: Understanding your photography goals is paramount. I recommend the Olympus E-M1 Mark II for enthusiasts and pros seeking a capable, adaptable system with pro-level results and controls. The Panasonic FX580 remains an appealing option for learners or casual shooters valuing compactness and simplicity above all else.

Photography is about expression and capturing what moves you - choose the tool that helps fulfill that vision with confidence and joy.

If you’re curious about specific lenses, accessories, or workflows that pair well with these cameras, or want sample RAW files for in-depth analysis, feel free to reach out - camera selection is a journey best taken with open eyes and expert insight.