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Olympus OM-D E-M5 II vs Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

Camera summary

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, made by Olympus, is a powerful SLR-style mirrorless camera. Announced on Feb. 6, 2015.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
4.5 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.6 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.4 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Olympus OM-D E-M5, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Olympus OM-D E-M5

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

Sensor

This camera has a MOS sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 81 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

BLN-1

The battery of this camera can last up to 310 shots per charge with the included BLN-1 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Environmental sealing

This camera offers enviromental sealing keeping it protected and safe from environmental damage.

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Camera summary

The Olympus OM-D E-M5, made by Olympus, is a powerful SLR-style mirrorless camera. Announced on April 30, 2012.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
4.5 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
4.3 out of 5 stars
Physical
0.7 out of 5 stars
Average Score
3.4 out of 5 stars

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 16 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 35 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies. It offers AF tracking, which allows you to track moving objects

Max video resolutions

1920 x 1080

Expect recording in 1920 x 1080 with support for the following formats: H.264, Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Built-in wireless connectivity. Support for HDMI, so you can connect it to screens, monitors or any compatible device. Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

BLN-1

The battery of this camera can last up to 360 shots per charge with the included BLN-1 battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

Although this camera may have a decent battery life, its performance is not as great as the most powerful cameras. Always make sure to carry one extra battery, just in case.

Environmental sealing

This camera offers enviromental sealing keeping it protected and safe from environmental damage.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Af center
Yes
Yes
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
Yes
Af Face detection
Yes
Yes
Af live view
Yes
Yes
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
No
No
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
Yes
Yes
Af tracking
Yes
Yes
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 81 35

Connectivity

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
HDMI
Yes
Yes
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
DXO color depth 23.0 22.8
DXO dynamic range 12.4 12.3
DXO low light ISO 896.0 826.0
DXO overall score 73.0 71.0

Exposure mode

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
AKA - -
announced Feb. 6, 2015 April 30, 2012
Body type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
brand Olympus Olympus
msrp $549.00 $410.99
model Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Predecessor model Olympus OM-D E-M5
Successor model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Olympus OM-D E-M5 II

Lense

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Focal length multiplier 2x 2x
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 128 128

Other features

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
No
No
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
Yes
Yes
Flash modes Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Image stabilization
Yes
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 10.0 fps 9.0 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 60 60
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Battery life 310 shots 360 shots
Battery model BLN-1 BLN-1
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
Yes
Yes
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 124 x 85 x 45mm 122 x 89 x 43mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 469 grs 425 grs

Screen

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Live view
Yes
Yes
Screen resolution - 610
Screen size - -
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Touch screen
Yes
Yes

Sensor

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Max boosted ISO - -
Max image resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 25600
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13 mm 17.3 x 13 mm
Sensor resolution 16 16
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor type MOS CMOS

Headphone port

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080
Microphone port
Yes
No
Video formats MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG H.264, Motion JPEG
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)

Viewfinder

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II Olympus OM-D E-M5
viewfinder Electronic Electronic
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 1,440k dots