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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
68
Imaging
59
Features
93
Overall
72
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Announced September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 III
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Launched March 2023
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-E1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the E-M1 II (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-M1 II was launched 7 years before the ZV-E1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony ZV-E1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-M1 II matches up versus the ZV-E1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-M1 II ZV-E1 

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 ZV-E1 E-M1 II 
LaunchedMarch 2023September 2016More modern by 79 months

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-E1

 E-M1 II ZV-E1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3.00"Same screen size
Screen resolution1037k1037kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 II provides outside measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Sony ZV-E1 has sizing of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") accompanied by a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-M1 II and Sony ZV-E1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 II and the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-M1 II and ZV-E1 is 68 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by going through technical specs. The pic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 II and ZV-E1.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 II featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus E-M1 II will show greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged E-M1 II will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography information
75
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
71
manual focus
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Street photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Street photography camera
78
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
84
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (483 grams)
great high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography details
Sony ZV-E1 Sports photography details
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (350 shots)
71
quiet mode (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery life (570 per charge)
has phase detect auto focus
low max shutter speed