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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1

Portability
68
Imaging
58
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Pentax XG-1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax XG-1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and XG-1 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and XG-1 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was released 2 years after the XG-1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the E-M1 II scores against the XG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Pentax XG-1

 E-M1 II XG-1 
RevealedSeptember 2016July 2014Newer by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 XG-1 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax XG-1

 E-M1 II XG-1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II has got physical 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 Pentax XG-1 has proportions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-M1 II versus Pentax XG-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II vs the XG-1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and XG-1 is 68 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing specifications. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and XG-1.

Plainly, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-M1 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The newer E-M1 II provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography highlights
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
40
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography information
Pentax XG-1 Street photography information
77
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides touch to focus
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (567g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Sports photography camera
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
terrible battery (350 shots)
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (240 shots)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography details
Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
72
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
weather proofing
provides touch to focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery (350 shots)
52
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery power (240 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (567g)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
75
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
45
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
low battery power (240 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
78
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic support
lighter than average in class (574g)
25
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (567g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax XG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Pentax XG-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIPentax XG-1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pentax XG-1
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-09-19 2014-07-15
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1248mm (52.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 200 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s -
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 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574g (1.27 lbs) 567g (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 240 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 LB-060
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/SDHC
Storage slots 2 One
Pricing at launch $1,700 $599