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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony ZV-1 front
Portability
88
Imaging
55
Features
86
Overall
67

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 III
Sony ZV-1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 294g - 105 x 60 x 44mm
  • Released May 2020
  • Updated by Sony ZV-1 II
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-M1 II (20MP) and the ZV-1 (20MP) is fairly close but the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZV-1 (1") feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 II was introduced 4 years earlier than the ZV-1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-M1 II matches up vs the ZV-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony ZV-1

 E-M1 II ZV-1 
Display resolution1037k922kClearer display (+115k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZV-1 E-M1 II 
ReleasedMay 2020September 2016Fresher by 44 months

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-1

 E-M1 II ZV-1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 II has outside measurements 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 ZV-1 has proportions of 105mm x 60mm x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 294 grams (0.65 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the E-M1 II against the ZV-1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and ZV-1 is 68 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and ZV-1.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-M1 II has got the larger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler. The older E-M1 II will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography highlights
Sony ZV-1 Portrait photography highlights
75
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography advice
Sony ZV-1 Street photography advice
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (574g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
85
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
lighter than competition (294 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography information
Sony ZV-1 Sports photography information
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery pack (350 shots)
71
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (24.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery (260 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography features
Sony ZV-1 Travel photography features
72
lighter than competition in class (574g)
environment sealing
comes with focus by touch
decent megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (350 per charge)
81
lighter than competition (294g)
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Sony ZV-1 Landscape photography details
76
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (350 shots)
70
you can focus manually
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery (260 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Vlogging features
Sony ZV-1 Vlogging features
79
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone port
lighter than competition in class (574 grams)
86
fairly wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
lighter than competition (294g)
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-1
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IISony ZV-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Sony ZV-1
Class Pro Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2016-09-19 2020-05-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 64 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 315
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per sec 24.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 60 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MOV, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lbs) 294 gr (0.65 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 105 x 60 x 44mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.7")
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 260 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 2 1
Retail cost $1,700 $750