OM-D E-M5 II vs E-M1 II

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

Everything I've heard about the OM-D E-M1 II sounds great. But, for the price, I think I might be overpaying, given that the burst feature doesn't really feature in my type of photography. So I'm wondering if someone with experience could give me their opinion on whether there are any major cons in the OM-D E-M5 II compared to the E-M1 II for someone who isn't interested in sports/motion/bird photography.

In particular, I'm interested in urban and landscape photography without a tripod.

Albert Valentino · May 21, 2017

EM1 ii is all about action. Fast burst rates, subject tracking, and 4k video. It has slightly better DR, especially in the highlights and slightly better high ISO.

So if you are basically a stills photographer and shot static subjects, then the EM5 ii should do the job. If you use larger lenses then something like an inexpesive Photodiox grip will help. The MP difference offers a out 10% better linear resolution, useful if you print very big.

vallecano · May 21, 2017

If you have been using a Pentax K50, then I think a E-M10 would meet your needs at a reasonable price. The cameras you mention are more expensive for many features, that you may not need.

Albert Valentino · May 21, 2017

vallecano said:
If you have been using a Pentax K50, then I think a E-M10 would meet your needs at a reasonable price. The cameras you mention are more expensive for many features, that you may not need.

The EM5 mark ii and the EM1 mark ii, as well as the Pen F, have much better IBIS than the EM10 - which may or may not be important.

kaphinga · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Everything I've heard about the OM-D E-M1 II sounds great. But, for the price, I think I might be overpaying, given that the burst feature doesn't really feature in my type of photography. So I'm wondering if someone with experience could give me their opinion on whether there are any major cons in the OM-D E-M5 II compared to the E-M1 II for someone who isn't interested in sports/motion/bird photography.

In particular, I'm interested in urban and landscape photography without a tripod.

There is no need to worry with the EM-1ii unless you are into sports, fast motion or birds.

The EM5ii and EM10ii are both fine cameras. Off the top of my head (and someone please correct me if I am wrong) ...

The EM5ii has:

* Weather sealing

* More buttons

* Maybe better IBIS and/or video (??? --- it's certainly better than my EM-10i)

* Twist screen

The EM10ii has:

* Tilt screen (which I actually prefer for urban photography)

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

I should have mentioned in my OP that I am looking for lightweight, weathersealing, and a touch screen. All features found in both as I understand.

String · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
I should have mentioned in my OP that I am looking for lightweight, weathersealing, and a touch screen. All features found in both as I understand.

I've said this to others but I'll say it again... from everything you've mentioned, the best price/performance option out there is a E-M1 MkI. They are cheap now and still fantastic cameras that will last a long time. It has all the features you've listed and then some.

DLBlack · May 21, 2017

Between the E-M5 Mkii and the E-M1 Mkii the E-M1 Mkii is better for landscape photography. The reasons are increase DR, lower noise. Plus a HiRes actually works for landscspes. All leads to it being better for landscspes. I do own both of these cameras and if I am serious about a landscape photo I will bring the E-M1 Mkii. Image quality is noticeably better. If size and weight is more important I wI'll take the E-M5 Mkii.

Skeeterbytes · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
I should have mentioned in my OP that I am looking for lightweight, weathersealing, and a touch screen. All features found in both as I understand.

The E-M1ii is rather larger with a more pronounced grip. Has a bigger battery for longer life between charges, and comes with a rapid charger. Has the newest TruPic VIII and better execution of Hi-Res that, in turn, capitalizes on the greater resolution. So the differences apart from greater speed and accuracy are significant if they relate to your shooting habits. If not, at half the cost the M-5ii remains a good value and entre into m4/3.

I use the E-M1i and will be upgrading to the new edition because it's the best fit for my uses.

Cheers,

Rick

Silverback46 · May 21, 2017

String said:
Marie Meyer said:

I should have mentioned in my OP that I am looking for lightweight, weathersealing, and a touch screen. All features found in both as I understand.

Click to expand...

I've said this to others but I'll say it again... from everything you've mentioned, the best price/performance option out there is a E-M1 MkI. They are cheap now and still fantastic cameras that will last a long time. It has all the features you've listed and then some.

kaphinga · May 21, 2017

Silverback46 said:
String said:

Marie Meyer said:

I should have mentioned in my OP that I am looking for lightweight, weathersealing, and a touch screen. All features found in both as I understand.

Click to expand...

I've said this to others but I'll say it again... from everything you've mentioned, the best price/performance option out there is a E-M1 MkI. They are cheap now and still fantastic cameras that will last a long time. It has all the features you've listed and then some.

Click to expand...

I have both the E-M5ii and the E-M1 Mk1. As String said above the Mk1 version is also an excellent option to consider. Th E-M5ii offers a hi-rez mode and a better stabilized video than the E-M1 Mk1. It is also a nice small modular camera with weather sealing. By that I mean you can make it a very small to carry camera without a grip and using a pancake lens or prime. The E-M1 Mk1 has the PDAF that Olympus determined was only suitable for flagship cameras, so if you had or wanted to use the older 4/3rd lenses it does give you better focusing speed.

When I shoot with my larger cameras on a long trip I almost always carry my E-M5ii as a back up and an urban camera. It fits nicely in a small bag.

I have both the E-M5ii and the EM-1 Mk1 as well, and I pretty much agree. The EM5-ii would get my vote over the EM-1 Mk1 for urban/everyday use.

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

Do you find any difference in stabilization for stills?

kaphinga · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Do you find any difference in stabilization for stills?

I have the original EM-10, the EM-5ii and the original EM-1. I will just say that I don't have problems with camera shake on any of them. I haven't done any formal testing.

RSSrsvp · May 21, 2017

You should sign up for the email and text alerts from the Olympus Outlet Store. They have 20% off flash sales several times a year and that 20% discount is on the gear that is already reduced in price. Right now they are selling the E-M5 Mark ll for $649 and with the 20% sale price is could go as low as $519. The reconditioned gear they offer have a 30 day return policy, a 90 day warranty and you can also purchase an extended warranty from them.

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet

Silverback46 · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Do you find any difference in stabilization for stills?

I would agree with kaphinga Marie. The IBIS is pretty close on both cameras though my personal feeling is the E-M5ii may be slightly better for me. That may be just because I have had it a bit longer and I have found some fun ways to hold it that allow me to get good shots. Both are excellent.

Silver

Astrotripper · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Everything I've heard about the OM-D E-M1 II sounds great.

Yeah, hype machine was working at full power on this one.

Marie Meyer said:
But, for the price, I think I might be overpaying, given that the burst feature doesn't really feature in my type of photography.

Definietely.

Marie Meyer said:
So I'm wondering if someone with experience could give me their opinion on whether there are any major cons in the OM-D E-M5 II compared to the E-M1 II for someone who isn't interested in sports/motion/bird photography.

Lack of good video maybe? I think flat picture profile was added in later firmware for E-M5 II, which makes it at least a bit better than other Olympus cameras, but overall quality is rather lacking in that department. In contrast, I am quite happy with video capabilities of E-M1 II. But I'm more of a casual video shooter.

But if you're not into video...

Other than that, nothing significant really comes to mind. At least nothing that would be worth $1100.

Marie Meyer said:
In particular, I'm interested in urban and landscape photography without a tripod.

Then no. You really, really need to be having specific needs to justify the price tag on E-M1 II. From my perspective, it is overhyped and overpriced, mostly because it suffers from few major and minor annoyances that are hard to justify in a camera like that.

In short, don't bother. At $900, E-M5 II is much more bang for the buck and well worth the price. If you're itching for the "newest and greatest", more resolution, newer sensor and whatnot, just wait for E-M5 Mark III which will probably be around $1300-1400, or just buy PEN-F.

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

Thanks for the tip!

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

I will own up to not really understanding what the PEN cameras are supposed to be. They do look nice, though. I thought they were range finders, but recently someone told me no, they are just styled to look like range finders. At which point I decided I didn't have any more space left on my brain's hard drive to process them further.

RSSrsvp · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Thanks for the tip!

Many on this forum have taken advantage of their 20% flash sales and walked away with real bargains. For $99 they sell a 2 year extended warranty for the cameras and for $79 they sell a 4 year extended warranty on their lenses.

robgendreau · May 21, 2017

DLBlack said:
Between the E-M5 Mkii and the E-M1 Mkii the E-M1 Mkii is better for landscape photography. The reasons are increase DR, lower noise. Plus a HiRes actually works for landscspes. All leads to it being better for landscspes. I do own both of these cameras and if I am serious about a landscape photo I will bring the E-M1 Mkii. Image quality is noticeably better. If size and weight is more important I wI'll take the E-M5 Mkii.

OM-D E-M5 II vs E-M1 II

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