Clicky

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2

Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M5
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-M5 II (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the E-M5 II (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizing.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The E-M5 II was released 3 years later than the S2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-M5 II matches up against the S2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Panasonic S2

 E-M5 II S2 
LaunchedFebruary 2015January 2012Fresher by 38 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 S2 E-M5 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic S2

 E-M5 II S2 

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M5 II has outside dimensions of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") and a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S2 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the E-M5 II versus the S2.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 II and S2 is 80 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading through specs. The visual below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 II and S2.

All in all, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-M5 II featuring a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-M5 II will give more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer E-M5 II provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Street photography info
Panasonic S2 Street photography info
82
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography information
Panasonic S2 Sports photography information
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (310 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
good battery (280 CIPA)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography details
Panasonic S2 Travel photography details
74
environment sealing
boasts focus by touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery pack (310 CIPA)
70
good battery (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition (112 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (310 CIPA)
41
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
good battery (280 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging information
Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
82
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic port
32
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 II and Panasonic S2
 Olympus OM-D E-M5 IIPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-02-06 2012-01-09
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 81 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 gr (1.03 lb) 112 gr (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 896 not tested
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 280 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $699 $109