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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1
  • Successor is Olympus E-M1 III
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Replacement is Sony A9 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively close but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and A9 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-M1 II was brought out 7 months earlier than the A9 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-M1 II matches up versus the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony A9

 E-M1 II A9 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 A9 E-M1 II 
AnnouncedApril 2017September 2016More recent by 7 months
Screen resolution1440k1037kClearer screen (+403k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A9

 E-M1 II A9 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II has external dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") along with a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") having a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II versus Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-M1 II and the A9.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and A9 is 68 and 65 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and A9.

As you can plainly see, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 II due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Sony A9 will result in extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older E-M1 II will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Sony A9 Portrait photography information
75
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
83
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Street photography with Sony A9
78
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes focus by touch
environment sealing
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography information
Sony A9 Sports photography information
74
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
low battery power (350 CIPA)
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
better than average battery (650 per charge)
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography information
Sony A9 Travel photography information
72
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
environment sealing
includes focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
low battery power (350 shots)
73
better than average battery (650 per charge)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (24MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Sony A9 Landscape photography details
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery power (350 per charge)
85
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
better than average battery (650 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Sony A9 Vlogging information
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic jack
lighter than average in class (574 grams)
36
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A9
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Alpha A9
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2016-09-19 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 64 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 693
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 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 3840x2160
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 grams (1.27 lbs) 673 grams (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 13.3
DXO Low light score 1312 3517
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 650 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $1,700 $4,498