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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M1 III
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Old Model is Sony A55
  • Newer Model is Sony A58
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A57, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and A57 (16MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and A57 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 II was announced 4 years after the A57 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-M1 II matches up against the A57 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony A57

 E-M1 II A57 
ReleasedSeptember 2016September 2012More modern by 49 months
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 A57 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A57

 E-M1 II A57 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 II has physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") having a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) while the Sony A57 has measurements of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A57 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1 II vs the A57.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and A57 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching technical specs. The picture below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-M1 II and A57.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Olympus E-M1 II will result in more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 II should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography advice
Sony A57 Portrait photography advice
75
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography advice
Sony A57 Street photography advice
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus via touch
environment proofing
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
good high ISO (25,600)
75
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1 II
Sports photography with Sony A57
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (350 per charge)
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography details
Sony A57 Travel photography details
72
lighter than competitors in class (574g)
environment proofing
comes with focus via touch
good resolution (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery (350 per charge)
67
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse function
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography advice
Sony A57 Landscape photography advice
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
72
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging info
Sony A57 Vlogging info
79
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than competitors in class (574 grams)
77
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony A57
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony SLT-A57
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony SLT-A57
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2016-09-19 2012-09-13
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 121 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
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) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes 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, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 574 gr (1.27 pounds) 618 gr (1.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 75
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.0
DXO Low light rating 1312 785
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 550 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 Single
Pricing at release $1,700 $1,000