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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Samsung GX-1S front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S 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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M1 III
Samsung GX-1S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-M1 II versus Samsung GX-1S, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Samsung. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and GX-1S (6MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and GX-1S (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 II was unveiled 10 years after the GX-1S which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung GX-1S being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 II grades against the GX-1S with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Samsung GX-1S

 E-M1 II GX-1S 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016January 2006More modern by 130 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k210kSharper screen (+827k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Olympus E-M1 II

 GX-1S E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Samsung GX-1S

 E-M1 II GX-1S 
Manual focus More exact focus

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M1 II has outer dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) whilst the Samsung GX-1S has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M1 II versus Samsung GX-1S in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 II vs the GX-1S.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and GX-1S is 68 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and GX-1S.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Olympus E-M1 II will resolve more detail having an extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more recent E-M1 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Portrait photography camera
75
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Street photography camera
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
lighter than average (574 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (605 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Sports photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Sports photography camera
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography factors
Samsung GX-1S Travel photography factors
72
lighter than average (574 grams)
weather proofing
comes with touch to focus
MP count good (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery life (350 per charge)
52
lighter than others (605 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography features
Samsung GX-1S Landscape photography features
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic support
lighter than average (574g)
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Samsung GX-1S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Samsung GX-1S
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISamsung GX-1S
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Samsung
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Samsung GX-1S
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2016-09-19 2006-01-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 -
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 None
Video file format MOV, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574g (1.27 lbs) 605g (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/MMC card
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch pricing $1,700 $850