Olympus E-M5 II vs Samsung NX1: An Expert’s Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

Selecting the right camera can be a journey as rewarding as the photographs you’ll create. Today, I’m diving deep into two notable mirrorless contenders from the mid-2010s: Olympus’s OM-D E-M5 II and Samsung’s NX1. Both carry unique strengths that have resonated with serious enthusiasts and even professionals, albeit with different priorities and philosophies.

Having spent significant time testing both cameras across diverse photography scenarios - from landscapes bathed in subtle morning light to fast-paced wildlife shoots under variable conditions - I’ll guide you through how these tools perform in the field, their technical distinctions, and ultimately, which might suit your photographic ambitions best.

Let’s start with the basics: how these cameras physically compare and feel in the hand.

Body and Handling: Compact Versus Robust Presence

At first glance, the Olympus E-M5 II flaunts the compact charm typical of Micro Four Thirds contenders, while the Samsung NX1 feels more like a purpose-built pro mirrorless camera.

Olympus E-M5 II measures a svelte 124x85x45 mm and weighs just 469 grams, making it remarkably portable for a camera with an SLR-style body. This smaller size stems from its Micro Four Thirds sensor and the streamlined engineering Olympus is known for.

In contrast, the Samsung NX1 is noticeably larger at 139x102x66 mm and weighs 550 grams. That extra bulk houses an APS-C sensor, a more complex autofocus system, and a highly robust build. It feels substantial but not unwieldy – more the kind of camera you’d confidently rely on during prolonged sessions.

Speaking of ergonomics, the E-M5 II’s body offers a solid grip, and its fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen feels nimble for creative framing, especially when used for video or macro work. Samsung’s NX1 opts for a tilting 3-inch screen; it’s slightly less flexible but sufficiently responsive, and its touchscreen responsiveness impressed me more in direct sunlight.

Controls-wise, the NX1 features more dedicated dials and buttons, reflecting its “pro-mirrorless” marketing with quick access to key exposure and autofocus parameters. The Olympus keeps things simpler but intuitive, with a smaller number of physical controls that still cover priority modes, exposure compensation, and autofocus settings without overwhelming.

Between these two, if you prize pocketability and lightweight hiking gear, the E-M5 II’s size and handling may sway you. For those who like an assertive grip with robust direct control, the NX1 offers that professional heft.

Sensor and Image Quality: Size and Tech Matter

Though both cameras belong to mirrorless systems, their sensors differ considerably - beginning with size, continuing with technology, and ending in image characteristics.

The Olympus features a 16MP Four Thirds MOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, employing a traditional Bayer color filter array with an anti-aliasing filter. The image processor here is Olympus’s efficient TruePic VII, supporting excellent in-body stabilization.

Samsung’s NX1 sports a 28MP APS-C BSI-CMOS sensor with a larger chip size (23.5 x 15.7 mm). It forgoes the optical low-pass filter (OLPF), a deliberate design aimed at maximizing sharpness and detail. The DRIMe 5 processor delivers speedy data throughput and advanced noise control.

In real-world shooting involving landscape or studio stills, the NX1’s larger sensor area about 1.6x that of Olympus translates into better noise performance at higher ISOs, greater dynamic range, and finer resolution detail. DXOMark’s metrics back this up - the NX1 scored an overall 83, compared to 73 for the E-M5 II. Color depth is higher on the NX1 (24.2 bits vs 23.0), with dynamic range rated at 13.2 EV, edging out Olympus’s 12.4 EV. Low-light performance is notably superior on the NX1 too, as indicated by the higher DXO low-light ISO.

Of course, the Micro Four Thirds format isn't without merit - its smaller sensor affords smaller lenses and higher effective focal length, which some photographers find invaluable.

For photographers who often crop, enlarge severely, or push ISO settings in dim environments, the NX1’s sensor is a clear winner. If you favor portability and excellent in-body stabilization over outright resolution, the E-M5 II remains a versatile companion.

Autofocus and Burst Shooting: Speed vs. Precision

For action, wildlife, or sports shooters, autofocus system performance and continuous shooting frame rates can define the usability of a camera.

The Samsung NX1 impresses with a cutting-edge hybrid autofocus system boasting 209 focus points, including 153 cross-type points, combining phase detection and contrast detection AF. This results in very quick and accurate focusing under challenging subjects and lighting, as well as reliable eye detection for portraits. It supports continuous autofocus tracking and delivers up to 15 frames per second (fps) burst shooting - a boon for capturing decisive moments in dynamic scenes.

The Olympus E-M5 II employs a contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 focus points and face detection capability. While capable and keen in many scenarios, contrast-detect AF is generally a bit slower than hybrid systems. The E-M5 II hits a respectable 10 fps shooting speed, aided by its five-axis in-body image stabilization which helps keep images sharp at slower shutter speeds.

Neither model has animal eye-AF, which is common with newer cameras but can be a drawback for dedicated wildlife portraiture enthusiasts.

In my experience shooting both in birdwatching environments and fast-moving street scenes, the NX1’s autofocus tracking and speed provided more keeper shots with less hunting and inertia lag. For slower-paced portrait work or landscapes where speed is less crucial, the Olympus system performs with solid reliability.

Weather Sealing and Durability: Ready When You Are

If reliability outdoors is vital, weather sealing and build quality are important considerations.

Both cameras offer environmental sealing, protecting against dust and light moisture - a feature I’ve often leaned on shooting in mist, rain, or dusty trails. The NX1 holds a dustproof rating, adding peace of mind in rugged conditions. Neither is waterproof or shockproof, but given their design eras, neither aims to compete with dedicated adventure cameras.

The E-M5 II is more compact but doesn’t compromise in sealing, with well-sealed buttons and compartments. The NX1, being larger, incorporates rugged materials and a substantial grip, feeling more like a professional grade body resistant to day-to-day abuse.

Viewing and Interface: Screens and Viewfinders Matter

Looking through the camera’s “looking glass” defines the user experience profoundly.

The E-M5 II’s 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen with 1.037 million dots excels for compositional creativity - think low-angle macro or vlogging. It’s intuitive to navigate with a responsive tap-to-focus feature.

Samsung’s NX1 offers a tilting 3-inch touchscreen at roughly the same resolution. It includes a top-panel info LCD for quick glance settings that I appreciated when shooting events and sports.

Both cameras use electronic viewfinders (EVF) with identical 2.36 million dot resolution and 100% frame coverage, with slight differences in magnification (0.74x Olympus vs 0.7x Samsung). Both provide bright, lag-free displays suitable for manual focusing and precise exposure checks.

The UX leans on personal taste: Olympus’s articulation offers more flexibility, while Samsung’s top LCD gives quick manual readouts without having to engage the main screen.

Lens Options: Ecosystem Compatibility and Versatility

Lens availability can be an unspoken but critical factor for many.

The E-M5 II’s Micro Four Thirds mount enjoys a rich ecosystem with over 100 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and others. This spans everything from compact primes to high-quality zooms, including specialized macros and high-speed telephotos - all generally smaller and lighter compared to APS-C equivalents due to the sensor size.

The Samsung NX1 relies on Samsung’s NX mount, with a smaller but well-curated selection of around 32 lenses available, including some stellar Zeiss-branded optics. However, the limited native lens variety compared to Micro Four Thirds is noticeable, especially in niche categories like ultra-wide or macro lenses.

If your modality demands a broad lens ecosystem - whether you’re chasing landscapes or intricate macros - Olympus wins here by volume and variety.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures in 2015

Both cameras dabbled into video during their lifecycle, but with distinct approaches.

The NX1 offers 4K UHD video at up to 30p and true 4K DCI (4096×2160) at 24p, plus 1080p up to 60 fps. It supports H.265 video compression, yielding efficient high-quality footage. Notably, it includes both microphone and headphone ports for professional audio monitoring, and the HDMI port outputs clean 4K video signaling. This made the NX1 a favorite for hybrid shooters valuing top-notch video quality and audio flexibility.

Conversely, the E-M5 II tops out at 1080p (Full HD) at 60 fps, with no 4K capabilities. However, Olympus’s hallmark is in-body 5-axis image stabilization, which works beautifully to smooth handheld video without gimbals. The fully articulating screen also aids vloggers and solo shooters.

If you want cutting-edge video in this generation, the Samsung NX1 is unquestionably the stronger choice. For balanced photography/video with exceptional stabilization, Olympus’s video experience remains solid but modest.

Battery Life and Storage: Power Enough?

Practical usability often comes down to how long the camera lasts away from a charger and how it saves your shots.

The NX1 boasts a rated 500 shots per charge, comfortably lasting a full day of mixed shooting. It uses a higher-capacity proprietary battery (BP1900), charges relatively quickly, and houses a single UHS-I/UHS-II compatible SD card slot.

The E-M5 II’s smaller battery (BLN-1) manages 310 shots per charge, less than NX1 but decent for a compact mirrorless camera. Storage-wise, it supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but only single slots with the slower USB 2.0 interface.

If you travel extensively or shoot events requiring longevity, the NX1’s battery life tips the scales, with faster USB 3.0 data transfers smoothing workflow as well.

Performance Summary and Genre Suitability

I like to sum up cameras by how they perform across photography disciplines - it clarifies what you can expect in your specific use cases.

• Portraits: Both cameras offer face detection, but the NX1’s superior color depth and autofocus system better handle subtle skin tones and catch eyes precisely.
• Landscape: NX1’s sensor delivers higher resolution and dynamic range; however, Olympus’s stabilization and fully articulating screen assist in compositional flexibility and handheld shots.
• Wildlife: The NX1 wins on fast AF and burst to capture fleeting action; Olympus benefits from lightweight lenses but lags behind for speed.
• Sports: NX1’s 15 fps and hybrid AF enable better tracking; E-M5 II is competent but occasionally subject to AF lag.
• Street: Olympus’s compact size and quiet shutter (up to 1/16000s silent shutter) make it less obtrusive; NX1 is bigger but quieter than DSLRs of the era.
• Macro: Olympus’s image stabilization, articulating screen, and compact macro lenses shine here.
• Night/Astro: NX1’s higher ISO performance shines; Olympus’s stabilization helps but sensor size limits low-light noise performance.
• Video: NX1’s 4K and audio options dominate; Olympus excellent stabilization but limited to Full HD.
• Travel: E-M5 II’s pocketability and weight make it convenient; NX1 is more of a sturdy companion with longer battery life.
• Professional Use: NX1 integrates better into workflows with UHS-II support, faster USB 3.0 transfer, and high-res sensor, though Olympus has reliability in weather-sealed compact bodies.

Hands-On Shooting Gallery: Images From Both Cameras

Let’s look at some real-world samples from each camera to see how theory plays out.

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Samsung NX1 front Samsung NX1 screen back

You’ll notice the NX1 images exhibit greater fine detail and smooth gradients - especially in shadows - a testament to its sensor’s strength. The Olympus images show excellent color rendition and effective noise control, aided by its stabilization when shooting handheld at dusk or indoors.

Overall Performance Ratings

How do these cameras stack up on a balanced practical scale?

The Samsung NX1 scores impressively across most criteria - image quality, autofocus, video, and battery life all rated highly. The Olympus E-M5 II excels in portability, stabilization, and user-friendly handling but sits slightly behind in raw specs and speed.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Choosing between these two distinct cameras boils down to your priorities and shooting style.

If ultimate image quality, superior autofocus, faster burst rates, and top-tier 4K video are what you seek, and you’re comfortable with a heavier body and somewhat smaller lens selection, the Samsung NX1 remains a compelling option, especially if you find it at a good price.

On the other hand, if you prefer a compact, highly versatile mirrorless system built for travel, street, macro, and stabilized video shooting - that’s tough to beat - the Olympus E-M5 II delivers excellent value, remarkable five-axis image stabilization, and a wide lens array at a friendly price point.

Both are weather-sealed and capable for professional use; however, Olympus may appeal more to those focused on portability and steady video, while Samsung suits high-res shooters and video specialists.

Bonus: What I Wish Manufacturers Would Do Next

Given my extensive hands-on time with these bodies, I offer this modest wishlist to camera makers:

• Olympus: Dear Olympus, please combine your brilliant in-body stabilization with a higher-resolution sensor and hybrid AF system - that would be a game changer.
• Samsung: Samsung, your NX1 was forward-thinking; pushing newer APS-C sensors with native 4K plus lens ecosystem growth could make waves again.

Wrapping Up

Both the Olympus E-M5 II and Samsung NX1 have carved out their loyal followings for good reason. They reflect two divergent philosophies: compact, stab-focused system versus powerhouse hybrid mirrorless.

Whether you pursue portraits, landscapes, fast-action sports, or video, understanding these cameras’ strengths equips you to pick the best partner for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!