Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic FZ1000 II, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the FZ1000 II (20MP) is very close but the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and FZ1000 II (1") feature different sensor sizing.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The E-M5 II was launched 5 years prior to the FZ1000 II which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ1000 II being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-M5 II matches up versus the FZ1000 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M5 II Gallery and Panasonic FZ1000 II Gallery.

If you are intending to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-M5 II provides outside dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ1000 II has dimensions of 136mm x 97mm x 132mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 5.2") with a weight of 808 grams (1.78 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic FZ1000 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-M5 II against the FZ1000 II.

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the E-M5 II and FZ1000 II is 80 and 55 respectively.

Usually, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specs. The picture below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 II and FZ1000 II.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-M5 II due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic FZ1000 II will render more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-M5 II will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.