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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Updated by Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Following is a extensive review of the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL1, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both designed by Olympus. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M5 II (16MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 II was launched 4 years after the E-PL1 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-M5 II matches up versus the E-PL1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-PL1

 E-M5 II E-PL1 
ReleasedFebruary 2015May 2010More modern by 58 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 E-PL1 E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL1

 E-M5 II E-PL1 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M5 II comes with exterior measurements of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1 has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-M5 II compared to the E-PL1.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 II and E-PL1 is 80 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M5 II and E-PL1.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M5 II to give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The younger E-M5 II should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography features
72
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
82
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
65
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
terrible battery life (310 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
74
environment sealing
comes with touch focus
good MP (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery life (310 per charge)
52
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (290 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
terrible battery life (310 per charge)
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery life (290 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Vlogging camera
82
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL1
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIOlympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus PEN E-PL1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-06 2010-05-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII Truepic V
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 469 grams (1.03 pounds) 334 grams (0.74 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 54
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 10.1
DXO Low light rating 896 487
Other
Battery life 310 photographs 290 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $699 $288