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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 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
  • Released September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 III
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Older Model is Sony WX350
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony WX500, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and WX500 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizes.

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The E-M1 II was announced 18 months later than the WX500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony WX500 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-M1 II matches up against the WX500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony WX500

 E-M1 II WX500 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016April 2015Fresher by 18 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 WX500 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony WX500

 E-M1 II WX500 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II comes with outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") and a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony WX500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 II against the WX500.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 II and WX500 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 II and WX500.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-M1 II having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 II will show extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger E-M1 II should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography info
Sony WX500 Portrait photography info
75
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
39
good resolution (18MP)
includes face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography features
Sony WX500 Street photography features
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (574g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography information
Sony WX500 Sports photography information
74
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (350 shots)
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (360 per charge)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Travel photography with Sony WX500
72
lighter than competition in class (574g)
environment proofing
provides touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery power (350 CIPA)
71
better than average battery life (360 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
good resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Landscape photography with Sony WX500
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery power (350 shots)
49
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
better than average battery life (360 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging information
Sony WX500 Vlogging information
79
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external mic socket
lighter than competition in class (574g)
35
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (236g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony WX500
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2016-09-19 2015-04-14
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.10 m (at ISO 100) 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lb) 236 gr (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 photos 360 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots Two 1
Price at release $1,700 $348