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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL7 front
Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
81
Overall
64

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Successor is Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-PL7
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Released September 2014
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL6
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL8
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the E-PL7 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 II was manufactured 6 months after the E-PL7 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-M5 II grades against the E-PL7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-PL7

 E-M5 II E-PL7 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL7 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 E-PL7 E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL7

 E-M5 II E-PL7 
ReleasedFebruary 2015September 2014Similar age
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution1037k1037kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Olympus E-M5 II comes with exterior dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL7 has specifications of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-M5 II against the E-PL7.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and E-PL7 is 80 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 II and E-PL7.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution and you can expect similar quality of photographs however you would want to consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL7 Portrait photography highlights
72
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Street photography with Olympus E-PL7
82
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-PL7 Sports photography highlights
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
low battery (310 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL7 Travel photography details
74
environment sealing
provides focus via touch
good MP (16MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery (310 shots)
85
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-M5 II
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL7
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
low battery (310 per charge)
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PL7 Vlogging highlights
82
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
78
selfie friendly display
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no mic socket
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Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus E-PL7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Olympus E-PL7
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIOlympus PEN E-PL7
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus PEN E-PL7
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2015-02-06 2014-09-01
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII TruePic VII
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 81 81
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 469 gr (1.03 pounds) 357 gr (0.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 72
DXO Color Depth score 23.0 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 12.4
DXO Low light score 896 873
Other
Battery life 310 images 350 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 BLS-50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Launch cost $699 $499