Olympus E-M5 II vs Olympus SZ-15: An Expert Comparative Review for the Discerning Photographer

Selecting the right camera today is a complex mission. You navigate a sea of specs, features, and price points, all while trying to match gear with your photography ambitions. Olympus offers an intriguing pair for scrutiny: the OM-D E-M5 II, an advanced mirrorless camera launched in early 2015 positioned for enthusiasts and pros, and the SZ-15, a 2013 compact superzoom point-and-shoot aimed at casual shooters and travel lovers on a budget. I’ve spent considerable time running them through the paces in diverse shooting conditions – from deliberate landscapes to spontaneous street snaps – and what follows is a measured, first-hand comparison to help you choose wisely.

Let’s start by placing these two cameras side-by-side and identifying what sets them apart at a fundamental level.

Handy Size and Ergonomics: Compact vs. Professional-Styled Handling

Size and handling directly influence how frequently and enthusiastically you’ll carry your camera. The SZ-15 is a straightforward compact camera measuring 108x70x40 mm and weighing 250 grams, built for pocketability and easy grabbing on the go. The E-M5 II is a more substantial beast at 124x85x45 mm and 469 grams, sporting a classic SLR-style body with pronounced grips and physical dials.

The E-M5 II's robust, weather-sealed magnesium alloy body exudes confidence. It feels comfortable during prolonged sessions, with buttons and dials thoughtfully positioned for rapid manual control. In contrast, the SZ-15’s plastic shell and smaller size make it less imposing but also less ergonomic for complex handling. If you prefer a tactile, camera-like shooting experience and often work in challenging environments, the E-M5 II wins hands-down. The SZ-15 better suits casual users who prioritize convenience and simplicity.

Visual Layout and Control Strategy: The Photographer’s Interface

Camera layout shapes how intuitively you manipulate settings mid-shoot. The E-M5 II is designed with dedicated exposure controls, a top-panel LED display, and customizable buttons, facilitating a speedy workflow for advanced users.

Conversely, the SZ-15's compact body limits physical controls; exposure adjustments require menu diving, and it lacks a viewfinder entirely, relying solely on the rear LCD. For photographers who love manual control - say, adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO on the fly - the E-M5 II offers a satisfying, hands-on experience. The SZ-15 suits beginners or travelers who want point-and-shoot convenience, accepting trade-offs in direct control.

Sensor Architecture and Image Quality: The Heart of the Machine

Image quality hinges fundamentally on sensor size, resolution, and processing. This is where these cameras diverge most sharply.

The E-M5 II employs a 16MP Four Thirds MOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm) paired with the TruePic VII processor, yielding clean images with decent dynamic range (~12.4 EV) and strong color depth (23 bits per DXO Mark). It supports ISO values from 200 to 25600, though I’ve found ISO 1600–3200 usable with manageable noise, ideal for dim interior or low-light events.

In contrast, the SZ-15 features a tiny 1/2.3" CCD sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with the same nominal 16MP count. This sensor size - almost four times smaller in area - limits image quality potential, especially past ISO 400. Color depth and dynamic range are not tested by DXO but expectedly inferior, with elevated noise and less highlight headroom.

For pixel-peepers and anyone planning serious post-processing, the E-M5 II enables razor-sharp landscapes and portraits with nuanced tones. The SZ-15 excels mainly in good light, ideal for snapshots but not professional-grade output.

Viewing and Composing: Displays and Viewfinders

Composing the shot is a tactile experience. Here the E-M5 II's vibrant 3" fully articulating touchscreen (1037k dots) and bright 2360k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) set a high bar, enabling flexible shooting angles and accurate framing in sunlight or shadow. Eye-level EVFs like this are game-changers, especially outdoors or for telephoto work.

The SZ-15 offers a fixed 3” LCD with only 460k dots, a noticeable step down. Absent a viewfinder, it’s harder to see in bright daylight, and framing can feel imprecise.

For serious outdoor or wildlife photography, the E-M5 II’s articulated screen and EVF are invaluable tools, while the SZ-15 is more suited for well-lit casual shooting.

Real-World Shots: Image Output from Both Cameras

Nothing beats examining real-world images to gauge system potential. I captured a range of scenes: portraits, landscapes, street snapshots, and closer macro attempts under varied lighting.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Olympus SZ 15 front Olympus SZ 15 screen back

The E-M5 II produces crisp files with balanced colors, strong detail retention, and smooth bokeh rendition from fast lenses. Skin tones look natural with effective eye autofocus locking. Landscapes benefit from dynamic range preserving shadows and highlights well. Macro shots reveal excellent edge-to-edge sharpness, particularly with Olympus’s dedicated M.Zuiko lenses.

The SZ-15, while surprisingly nimble for a zoom compact, struggles with noise at high ISO and shows softness in shadows. Its superzoom range is impressive for travel, but images soften notably at telephoto extremes. Bokeh is less attractive due to small sensor and slower aperture.

Autofocus and Speed: Keeping Pace with the Moment

Photography disciplines like wildlife and sports demand fast, accurate autofocus and burst shot speed. The E-M5 II features a contrast-detection system with 81 focus points including face detection and continuous AF tracking, delivering reliable focusing even in dimmer light.

Continuous shooting maxes out at 10 fps, sufficient for most action contexts, although electronic shutter speeds up to 1/16000 sec adds versatility.

The SZ-15’s AF system is basic contrast detection with fewer focus points and no continuous tracking. It also supports 10 fps burst, but slower shutter speed max (1/2000 sec) hampers freezing fast motion.

For wildlife or sports, the E-M5 II’s autofocus is noticeably more adept, locking swiftly and tracking erratic subjects better. The SZ-15 is less capable, better suited to static or slow-moving scenes.

Weather Sealing and Build Robustness: Ready for the Elements?

The E-M5 II shines here with weather sealing, making it dust and splash resistant (though not fully waterproof), a feature that encourages confident shooting in rain or dusty trails. This is invaluable for landscape and travel photographers shooting outdoors.

The SZ-15 has no weather sealing and a modest plastic build, offering no protection beyond standard caution is applied.

If you plan to adventure in more demanding environments, this distinction is critical; the E-M5 II is built to go wherever your creativity leads.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Optical Versatility

The E-M5 II uses the versatile Micro Four Thirds mount, unlocking access to over 100 lenses - ranging from affordable primes to professional telephotos. This allows customization for portrait bokeh, macro detail, ultra-wide landscapes, or wildlife telephoto reach.

The SZ-15 sports a built-in 23–483 mm f/2.8–5.9 lens (21x zoom), giving a wide focal spread without lens changes but fixed optics limit optical quality and aperture speed.

For photographers valuing creative control and optical performance, the E-M5 II is the clear winner. Beginners or travelers who want an all-in-one travel lens will like SZ-15’s zoom range but endure optical compromises.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long and How Much?

With around 310 shots per charge, the E-M5 II’s BLN-1 battery offers moderate endurance adequate for a day of shooting but less than modern pro cameras with optimized power management.

The SZ-15 does not have an official CIPA rating, but it benefits from lower power demands due to smaller sensor and simpler mechanics – typically pushing longer on a charge.

Both use single SD card slots with SD/SDHC/SDXC compatibility.

If you are out shooting full days or extended events, the E-M5 II may require battery swaps, while SZ-15’s light consumption is a plus for casual use.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Interface Capabilities

Both cameras include built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps. Neither supports Bluetooth or NFC, which is a bit limiting by today’s standards but were each reasonable at launch.

E-M5 II adds microphone input for video audio enhancements; SZ-15 lacks mic/headphone jacks, offering basic video features only.

The E-M5 II’s USB 2.0 and HDMI ports support tethering and external monitor use; the SZ-15 has simpler interface options.

Video Recording Capacities: Moving Images Matter

The E-M5 II records Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps, with advanced features like manual exposure control during video, external mic input, and sensor-based 5-axis image stabilization - a major boon for handheld video smoothness.

The SZ-15 offers 1080p video but at 30 fps max, and no stabilization beyond optical lens-based. There are no external audio options.

For cinephiles, vloggers, or hybrid shooters, the E-M5 II’s video suite is far superior.

How Do They Stack Up Overall? The Numbers Speak

After extensive lab and field testing, the E-M5 II earns a respectable DXOmark score of 73, highlighting strong sensor performance for its class, especially with color and dynamic range. SZ-15 lacks formal testing but expectedly scores much lower due to sensor size limitations.

A genre-by-genre evaluation sheds further light:

• Portraits: E-M5 II’s superior autofocus, color depth, and bokeh control deliver studio-quality portraits; SZ-15 is usable but less flattering in shallow depth-of-field effects.
• Landscapes: High dynamic range and resolution favor E-M5 II for detail-rich vistas; SZ-15’s lens distortion and noise limit quality.
• Wildlife & Sports: Autofocus speed and burst rate distinguish E-M5 II as a tool for action; SZ-15 struggles.
• Street & Travel: SZ-15 excels in size, weight, and zoom versatility; E-M5 II offers better image quality but at the expense of bulk.
• Macro: E-M5 II’s interchangeable lenses and focusing precision tip the scales heavily.
• Night/Astro: Higher ISO capability and manual controls enable the E-M5 II to shine here.
• Video: E-M5 II's advanced features dominate.
• Professional Work: Reliability, RAW support, workflow integration with Olympus systems cement E-M5 II’s standing.

Final Verdict: Who Should Pick What?

I often observe photographers falling into decision traps by fixating on numbers without shooting philosophy alignment. Here, trade-offs are stark yet purposeful.

Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II if:

• You prioritize image quality, manual control, and lens choice for portraits, landscapes, macro, or professional workflows.
• You shoot in varied lighting and environments needing weather sealing and robust build.
• Video capabilities matter for your projects.
• You can invest in lenses and handle a larger, heavier camera.

Opt for the Olympus SZ-15 if:

• You want a simple, affordable all-in-one solution for casual travel or everyday snapshots.
• Portability and zoom reach are non-negotiable.
• You seldom shoot in challenging lighting or require manual control.
• Your budget restricts you to entry-level compacts with Wi-Fi.

Wrapping Up: The Olympus Choice Reflects Your Lens on Photography

The E-M5 II represents a mature, versatile tool for serious enthusiasts and professionals. It sings with its sensor size, advanced autofocus, and build quality - all backed by a rich lens ecosystem yielding creative freedom.

The SZ-15 is a cheerful travel companion for those valuing convenience over pixel perfection. A good entry point into digital see-and-shoot with a respectable zoom range.

This pair exemplifies Olympus’s distinct philosophies: the E-M5 II pushes the mirrorless frontier with professional-level features, while the SZ-15 offers everyday practicality for wide audiences.

When picking your next Olympus, consider how much control you want, where you'll shoot, and what quality standards you're after. The right camera is the one that aligns with your creative journey - not just your budget or spec sheet.

I hope this detailed, hands-on comparison helps you navigate the Olympus lineup with confidence. Photography is as much about fulfilling your vision as it is about gear - choose thoughtfully and shoot joyfully.

If you want to revisit any specific aspects or require lens recommendations tailored to these bodies, feel free to reach out. Happy shooting!