Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A6500: Which Advanced Mirrorless Is Right for You?

Choosing your next mirrorless camera can be daunting, especially with two compelling options like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and the Sony Alpha A6500 vying for attention. Both released within a year of each other, these cameras have stood the test of time as versatile tools favored by enthusiasts and professionals alike. After personally testing thousands of cameras over 15 years, I’m eager to share a detailed, experience-backed comparison of these two models - not just specs but real-world performance across a wide range of photographic disciplines and user needs.

Let’s dive in, starting with the basics of size and handling, before exploring their core technologies, imaging capabilities, autofocus prowess, and more. By the end, you’ll see where each shines and which is the better fit for your style and budget.

Getting Comfortable: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

I always start my practical tests with how a camera feels in hand. Ergonomics can make or break your shooting experience, especially during long shoots or travel.

At first glance, the Olympus E-M5 II sports a traditional SLR-ish design with a slightly chunkier grip, while the Sony A6500 is more compact and rangefinder-styled. Physically, the Olympus measures 124x85x45 mm and weighs 469 grams, whereas the Sony is smaller and lighter at 120x67x53 mm and 453 grams. The dimensions reflect not only body design but lens mount differences: Olympus uses Micro Four Thirds with a 2.1x crop factor, Sony has an APS-C sensor with a 1.5x crop.

Handling-wise, the E-M5 II’s deeper grip and SLR styling make it comfortable for extended handheld shooting, especially with heavier lenses. The Sony’s slimmer body emphasizes portability, great for street and travel photographers who prize stealth and lightness.

Looking at the top panel layouts, Olympus opts for a classic dial-heavy interface with dedicated dials for shutter speed, EV compensation, and drive modes, giving tactile, muscle-memory control. The Sony takes a more minimalist approach, with custom buttons and dial combinations - useful but slightly less intuitive unless you customize extensively.

I prefer the Olympus layout for quick changes on the fly, which suits complex shooting situations like wildlife or sports. Sony’s interface appeals to those who prioritize lightweight gear and don’t mind menu diving or button customizations.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now, onto the sensor - a crucial point that often dictates image quality, dynamic range, and noise performance.

The Olympus features a 16MP Four Thirds MOS sensor measuring 17.3x13 mm (area 224.9 mm²), while the Sony boasts a larger 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor at 23.5x15.6 mm (366.6 mm²). The bigger sensor area of the Sony naturally supports better light gathering and higher resolution output, giving it an edge in image quality, especially in low light and for cropping flexibility.

Looking at DxO Mark scores, the Sony A6500 outperforms the Olympus by a notable margin - scoring 85 overall compared to the Olympus’s 73. The Sony leads in color depth (24.5 vs. 23.0), dynamic range (13.7 vs. 12.4 EV), and low-light ISO (1405 vs 896). This means cleaner images at higher ISOs and more latitude when pushing exposures in post-processing.

That said, the Olympus sensor isn’t a slouch - it produces excellent, detailed jpgs straight out of the camera with pleasing color rendition, especially for skin tones in portraiture. Its effective max ISO of 25600 is comparable to Sony’s native top ISO, yet in practice, I find the Sony’s noise handling noticeably better beyond ISO 1600.

The Viewfinder and LCD Screen: Seeing Your Shot Clearly

Both cameras use electronic viewfinders (EVFs) with near-identical resolutions: Olympus’s is 2.36M dots with 0.74x magnification, Sony’s 2.36M dots at 0.7x magnification. The Olympus has a slight edge in magnification, providing a marginally larger and brighter view.

Turning to the rear displays, the Olympus features a fully articulated 3” touchscreen at 1.037 million dots, making it versatile for awkward angles, macro shooting, or video. The Sony’s 3” screen is tilting (not fully articulating) and has slightly lower resolution at 922k dots. Touch responsiveness is good on both, though Olympus’s articulation is a boon for vloggers or street photographers who want to shoot from unconventional angles without sacrificing comfort.

I personally prefer the Olympus’s articulating screen when shooting live events or macro work where positioning the camera differently is critical. Sony’s screen is more compact and feels solid, great for quick street shots.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Tracking Under Pressure

When it comes to autofocus performance, technology nuances can dictate success in fast-paced or challenging shooting.

The Olympus E-M5 II relies exclusively on contrast-detection autofocus, featuring 81 focus points. While contrast AF is generally accurate and suitable for static subjects, it tends to lag in tracking moving subjects compared to hybrid or phase-detection setups.

In contrast, the Sony A6500 boasts an advanced hybrid autofocus system with 425 phase-detection points supplemented by contrast detection, making it lightning-fast and almost unerringly accurate at continuous autofocus (AF-C), eye detection, and subject tracking.

In real-world tests, especially for wildlife or sports photography, the Sony’s AF tracking is a clear winner. It locks focus on erratically moving subjects quickly and maintains it even under low light. The Olympus can perform admirably in controlled conditions, but you’ll notice hunting or less confident tracking when subjects move unpredictably.

Both cameras offer face detection AF, but neither has animal eye autofocus, which is a feature to consider if you shoot pets or wildlife regularly.

Burst Shooting and Buffer: Catching the Decisive Moment

If you’re shooting fast action, the continuous shooting rate and buffer depth play front and center.

The Olympus fires at 10 fps with mechanical shutter and up to 1/16000s electronic shutter, solid for a Micro Four Thirds camera of its era. The Sony edges slightly ahead with 11 fps burst rate and even faster maximum electronic shutter speed of 1/32000s, minimizing distortion in very fast scenes.

More importantly, Sony’s buffer is deeper, allowing longer continuous shooting bursts without slowdown - a big advantage for sports or wildlife photographers who rely on capturing the split-second perfect frame.

Image Stabilization: Keep Things Steady Wherever You Shoot

Both cameras feature effective in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with 5-axis compensation, vital for handheld shooting in low light or video.

Olympus has long been a leader in sensor-shift stabilization, and the E-M5 II’s 5-axis IBIS works impressively well to reduce shakes from hand tremors, even with non-stabilized lenses. The Sony A6500 introduced IBIS to the Alpha line with a similar 5-axis sensor-shift system.

In my testing, Olympus’s stabilization feels slightly more aggressive and refined, notably helping macro and slow shutter shooting. Sony’s IBIS works well, but you may need to complement it with stabilized lenses for the steadiest handheld video or telephoto stills.

Lens Ecosystems: Your Creative Toolkit

Lens availability and compatibility arguably define a system’s long-term value.

Olympus leverages the Micro Four Thirds standard, co-developed with Panasonic. This system offers around 107 native lenses from Olympus alone, plus dozens more from third parties like Sigma and Tamron - not to mention access to Panasonic’s extensive MFT lineup, including superb primes and affordable zooms. The smaller sensor means lenses tend to be lighter, smaller, and more affordable, perfect for portability.

Sony’s E-mount has grown immensely since 2010, currently boasting around 121 lenses from Sony and third parties like Zeiss, Sigma, and Tamron. APS-C lenses tend to be bigger and pricier than Micro Four Thirds equivalents, but the optical quality and variety are impressive, especially in primes optimized for video and low light.

If you’re invested in quick walk-around versatility and value smaller, lighter lenses, Olympus’s system has the edge. For ultimate reach, optical quality, and a wealth of premium glass (especially full-frame compatible), Sony’s ecosystem offers more choices.

Build Quality and Durability: How Tough Are These Cameras?

Both cameras feature weather sealing suited for challenging conditions - dust and splash-proof (but not waterproof).

The Olympus E-M5 II feels rock solid, with a magnesium alloy body and tight sealing at buttons and dials. It’s freezeproof rated down to -10 °C, giving confidence for harsh outdoor landscapes and wildlife photography in cold environments.

The Sony A6500 also offers solid build quality with weather resistance but feels a touch less rugged. It performs admirably in field conditions but lacks the freezeproof rating Olympus claims.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

Both cameras cater to hybrid shooters, though their video ambitions differ.

Olympus E-M5 II records Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats, with a microphone input but no headphone jack. It offers slow sync flash modes and built-in 5-axis stabilization that helps create smooth handheld footage. However, 4K video is absent, which limits its appeal to serious videographers.

Sony A6500 jumps in with 4K UHD recording at 30p, using the newer XAVC S format at a high bitrate (100 Mbps), ensuring crisp, detailed video. It also supports advanced focus features like Fast Hybrid AF for smooth autofocus during recording, plus microphone input but no headphone port as well. Its IBIS complements the video nicely, making it a versatile vlogging and hybrid imaging tool.

For video shooters, Sony’s A6500 is the clear favorite due to resolution and encoding options.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Olympus E-M5 II uses the BLN-1 battery rated for approximately 310 shots per charge, while the Sony A6500’s NP-FW50 battery yields around 350 shots. Both are modest by DSLR standards but typical for mirrorless cameras of their generation.

Sony has an advantage in wireless connectivity with Bluetooth and NFC alongside built-in Wi-Fi, easing image transfer and remote control. Olympus supports wireless through Wi-Fi alone but lacks Bluetooth or NFC.

Price and Value: Which One Gives More Bang for Your Buck?

As of today’s prices, Olympus E-M5 II typically goes for around $700, while the Sony A6500 commands nearly double, about $1,300. The Sony’s higher price reflects its newer sensor, advanced AF system, 4K video, and faster shooting specs.

Does Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds system justify its value proposition? Absolutely. It offers an excellent entry to advanced mirrorless shooting with in-body stabilization and weather sealing at a compelling price point - great for enthusiasts on a budget or those prioritizing portability.

The Sony A6500 targets enthusiasts and pros needing top-tier autofocus, image quality, and video in a compact package - if you can stretch your budget, it delivers significant performance gains.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

Let’s break down performance by genre, based on my extensive real-world testing:

• Portraits: Olympus renders pleasing skin tones and creamy bokeh from its mirrorless primes, helped by 5-axis IBIS stabilizing slow shutter portraits. Sony’s higher resolution and better low-light AF eye detection provide crisper details and reliable focus but may require heavier lenses for shallow depth of field effects.

• Landscape: Sony’s greater dynamic range and resolution shine, especially when cropping or enlarging. Olympus’s weather sealing and articulating screen make it enjoyable in rugged conditions, but smaller sensor limits ultimate detail.

• Wildlife: Sony’s rapid hybrid AF and faster burst rates track moving animals better. Olympus, while competent, sometimes lags behind on focus tracking.

• Sports: Sony’s edge in frame rate, AF speed, and buffer make it more reliable for fast action.

• Street: Olympus’s smaller lenses and articulating screen improve stealth and shooting versatility. Sony is compact but bulkier with tele primes.

• Macro: Olympus wins on IBIS and articulating screen flexibility, giving comfortable close-up shooting. Sony lacks focus stacking and focus bracketing modes Olympus offers.

• Night/Astro: Sony’s superior high ISO handling captures cleaner stars and low light scenes.

• Video: Sony leads with 4K UHD and smooth AF, while Olympus maxes at 1080p.

• Travel: Olympus’s compactness, lens system, and price make it a great travel companion. Sony prioritizes image quality but adds weight and cost.

• Professional Work: Sony’s high-res files, robust autofocus, and video put it ahead for demanding workflows.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Olympus E M5 II front Olympus E M5 II screen back Sony A6500 front Sony A6500 screen back

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II and Sony Alpha A6500 offer compelling, but fundamentally different propositions in advanced mirrorless cameras.

Choose Olympus E-M5 II if:

• You want a well-built, splash-resistant camera with top-tier in-body stabilization.
• Portability and lightweight lenses matter most (ideal for travel and street).
• You shoot primarily stills with moderate dynamic range and you appreciate an articulating touchscreen.
• Your budget is under $800 but you still want sophisticated controls.
• You do macro work needing focus stacking and bracketing.

Choose Sony A6500 if:

• You prioritize highest image quality with 24MP APS-C sensor and excellent high ISO performance.
• Need fastest and most reliable autofocus for wildlife, sports, or fast action.
• Video in 4K and hybrid shooting is part of your workflow.
• You prefer a more extensive lens lineup with premium options.
• You can invest around $1,300 for a camera that pushes boundaries in speed and detail.

Each camera excels in different ways, and your personal shooting style and priorities will guide the best fit. Although the Sony A6500 is the more capable performer overall, the Olympus E-M5 II remains one of the most balanced and affordable advanced mirrorless options available, delivering joy to photographers who prize ergonomics and stabilization.

Thank you for reading my deep dive. If you want to see the standout differences in action, check out my video comparison linked above. Remember, handling these cameras yourself can reveal preferences no spec sheet can capture.

Happy shooting - and may your next mirrorless camera be the perfect tool for your creative vision!