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

DLBlack · May 21, 2017

The HiRes mode in the E-M1 Mkii is noticeably improved over the HiRes mode in the E-M5 Mkii. The HiRes mode in the E-M5 Mkii was not really suitable for landscapes due to movement in the landscspe. In the E-M1 Mkii the HiRes mode is suitable for landscapes.

dgrogers · May 21, 2017

kaphinga said:
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.

Click to expand...

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

Or want to use original 4/3 lenses (you gain in size, but gain in quality too).

JudyN · May 21, 2017

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

Marie, it seems to me some people were not reading what you wrote. WITHOUT A TRIPOD. Me too. Only you can decide how much to spend but the EM1 II has THE BEST image stabilization, I think of any camera. I also got the 12-100mm lens whose IS combines with the camera's IS. Yes, the lens is expensive and it's heavier than I would like to carry, but I just spent 4 days in New Orleans with the combination and I didn't find it too heavy. No, you're not going to hide the camera, but actually I doubt if you can hide any normal camera. I'm very very happy with the combination.

I'm attaching three photos. I've photographed New Orleans a few times since 2007 and sell my photos of New Orleans (and elsewhere of course) in Wimberley, TX. The House of Voodoo photo is processed like I process my New Orleans photos. The better the original is the better the result is because of the significant tone mapping etc. I throw in an interior of St. Louis cathedral because it is a hand-held interior. In neither case did I brace myself in any way or hold the camera particularly steady (although I'm pretty steady with a camera). The third is another evening shot. I have been unable to get a good shot of this in the past without a tripod.

So if you are like me and hate tripods, this combo is for you! I've also had a lot of fun with the EM1 II in the evening and after dark in the harbors of Rockport, TX and Fulton, TX, lit only by rather dim parking lot lights. I could not do that handheld with my previous cameras either.

House of Voodoo. 1/13sec, ISO 800

Interior of St. Louis Cathedral, 1/20 sec, ISO 400

back of St. Louis Cathedral. 1/5 sec, ISO 800

--
Judy

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

Thank you. I did not realize that the two IS's would = more IS; I always thought they would be covering the same ground and so would not result in a net higher amount of IS. Always happy to learn!

JudyN · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Thank you. I did not realize that the two IS's would = more IS; I always thought they would be covering the same ground and so would not result in a net higher amount of IS. Always happy to learn!

They don't always! But this lens is made to work with the internal IS of the EM-1 II.

String · May 21, 2017

Just as a side; I bought an E-M5 (original) when they first came out (coming from Nikon) and I've never carried a tripod since. Yes, even the original E-M5 was that good so I personally wouldn't be all that concerned with the latest/greatest.

The E-M1 mkII with the 12-100 is a pretty expensive kit; for your stated usage, the MkI version with a 12-40 would be less than half the price and I really doubt you would notice any meaningful difference in the end result... yes, I have both so I am familiar with them.

Astrotripper · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
Thank you. I did not realize that the two IS's would = more IS; I always thought they would be covering the same ground and so would not result in a net higher amount of IS. Always happy to learn!

Yes, Sync IS with the 12-100 is pretty amazing. But that is not an advantage of E-M1 Mark II, since E-M5 Mark II also supports it (so does PEN-F and the original E-M1).

Also, there are only two lenses that can use it. One very expensive and another extremely expensive. Both amazing, though.

So for all intents and purposes, there is no difference in terms of stabilization between all recent Olympus OM-D cameras (even the budget E-M10 series has 5-axis IBIS now since Mark II).

vallecano · May 21, 2017

You mentioned Weather Sealing, so which lens, or lenses, have you considered?

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

No, I haven't got that far yet. Any thoughts?

JudyN · May 21, 2017

Astrotripper said:
So for all intents and purposes, there is no difference in terms of stabilization between all recent Olympus OM-D cameras (even the budget E-M10 series has 5-axis IBIS now since Mark II).

I believe this is not true. EM5-II is no longer a new camera (two years old). I have both an EM1-II and EM5-II. I did have an EM5 and believe me, its IS was nowhere near the EM1-II. It is really a night and day difference in dark places like interiors or cities or towns after dark if you don't want to use a tripod.

My notes:

"The EM1 II has 6.5-stop stabilization. The in-body stabilization itself gives 5.5 stops, and the Sync IS gives 6.5 stops with OIS lenses. E-M5II offers 5 stops and E-M1II offers 5.5 stops, EM5 has 4 to 4.5 stops."

Notice the apparently "small" difference between the EM5 and the EM1 II. "only" 1 to 1.5 stops. My personal experience is this is all the difference in the world if you want to do low light photography without a tripod. Not only am I able to take evening and night photos of harbors in Rockport Texas hand held whereas I could not do it with my EM5 or my Sony A77. I'm talking no special lens because I just got my 120-100mm a couple of weeks ago. In New Orleans last week I was shooting with the EM1-II and the 12-100mm lens all the time, including of course interior shots and evening and night shots. Similarly, I was unable to take good night shots handheld with the EM5 or the Sony A77, even though the A77 can combine multiple shots in an attempt to get a better result.

I'm attaching an evening photo that I was unable to take with my EM5 or my Sony A77 (both have in-body stabilization-- something I demand in my cameras). Even with serious post processing I could not get a good enough photo to sell.

I thought long and hard about the extra money for the EM1 II, and then for the rather expensive 12-100mm lens. I'm very happy with my choices. Of course you may make other choices, but for someone who hates tripods and likes iffy lighting, this is definitely a game changer. Playing around, I have hand-held 2 seconds with pretty good results with the EM1-II with an ordinary lens, even without attempting special stability like leaning against a post or something. It is so good that I have to remember to not let it take the ISO too high because that is more detrimental than a slower shutter speed. I should add that apparently I'm pretty stable and some people cannot hold a camera stable for one reason or another... Since I'm now 76, I'm not sure how long my stability will last... I guess I can start using a monopod/cane when I get shakey...

Back of St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans. 1/5 sec, ISO 800.

--
Judy

vallecano · May 21, 2017

I don't have any recommendation for Weather Sealed, but your choice of lenses will be more limited and they will be more expensive. However for m4/3 lenses you can look at Olympus and Panasonics.

Albert Valentino · May 21, 2017

String said:
Just as a side; I bought an E-M5 (original) when they first came out (coming from Nikon) and I've never carried a tripod since. Yes, even the original E-M5 was that good so I personally wouldn't be all that concerned with the latest/greatest.

The E-M1 mkII with the 12-100 is a pretty expensive kit; for your stated usage, the MkI version with a 12-40 would be less than half the price and I really doubt you would notice any meaningful difference in the end result... yes, I have both so I am familiar with them.

Marie Meyer · May 21, 2017

If any of you are still here: I received many helpful replies that give me a good idea of what distinguishes the OM-D E-M5 II and the E-M1 II.

It is a tough choice, but for now I'm leaning toward the M5 II or even an M1 Mark I in order to save money for more lenses.

Could anyone tell me how the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 might fit into this mix?

According to Google, it is weather sealed, which is attractive for me.

Any thoughts on its use hand-held?

Albert Valentino · May 21, 2017

Marie Meyer said:
If any of you are still here: I received many helpful replies that give me a good idea of what distinguishes the OM-D E-M5 II and the E-M1 II.

It is a tough choice, but for now I'm leaning toward the M5 II or even an M1 Mark I in order to save money for more lenses.

Could anyone tell me how the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 might fit into this mix?

According to Google, it is weather sealed, which is attractive for me.

Any thoughts on its use hand-held?

Reconditioned EM5 ii are not available for $650 http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras.html

G85 is a very good camera. One thing to consider is sync IS only works on like brands. So Pana OIS lenses can sync with Pana camera and not Olympus. Olympus has the best IBIS but only two OIS lenses that can mate with it. However, sync IS is not a huge thing with shorter FL.

These are all great cameras and holding on, ideally with the main lens you are considering. Nothing beats the experience of holding one since opinions based on preference vary.

JudyN · May 21, 2017

vallecano said:
You mentioned Weather Sealing, so which lens, or lenses, have you considered?

I have two weather sealed cameras and one weathersealed lens, but I'm not sure how much I would put into that if I weren't interested in other features of the cameras. I suppose it depends on where you live and how rainy it is there, but I've never had a camera die from a few raindrops. It is also easy to cut a big ziplock bag with a hole for the lens and keep it in your camera bag.

String · May 21, 2017

Judy, the synch IS gives an extra stop. The 12-40 2.8 is one stop faster than the 12-100 f4... it the end it's all whatever works for you.

JudyN · May 21, 2017

String said:
Judy, the synch IS gives an extra stop. The 12-40 2.8 is one stop faster than the 12-100 f4... it the end it's all whatever works for you.

I believe my numbers quoted with with and without synch IS. Also, I used the EM1 II in dark conditions for months before I got a lens that can help with IS.

OlyPent · May 21, 2017

Depends on your overall budget. If you can't afford the best lenses and the E-M1II, I'd get the E-M5II. I don't know what your requirements are, but the 12-40 or 12-100 should definitely be considerations. Otherwise, you begin to sell any sensor advantages short.

Fred Hugo · May 21, 2017

I agree; to me the EM5ii seems to have the best balance of IQ, features and price. EM1ii while a very capable camera is really expensive and bulky, comparable to DSLRs. To me if someone needs that degree of IQ or action shooting they better go larger sensors.

JudyN · May 21, 2017

OlyPent said:
Depends on your overall budget. If you can't afford the best lenses and the E-M1II, I'd get the E-M5II. I don't know what your requirements are, but the 12-40 or 12-100 should definitely be considerations. Otherwise, you begin to sell any sensor advantages short.

The 12-100mm lens is pretty large for the E-M5II. If you don't need that quality or size and weight, maybe you'd be happy with a cheaper lens.

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

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