Canon 5D Mark IV vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Canon 5D Mark IV vs Olympus E-M1 II

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35mm 864.0mm²
30.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.36 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
5D Mark IV test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

2,995 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

900 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
540k vs 346k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More pixels
30.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

Less expensive
$899* vs $2899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Lighter weight
574g vs 890g
Lighter weight
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 19 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Both provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.
JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.
Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 5D Mark III

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D810

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2246
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D810

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Canon 5D Mark IV

Fujifilm X-T2

$2099
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Panasonic G7

Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic G7

$2099
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic GX8

$2099
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic GX8

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Fast startup

$998
4/3

In-camera panoramas
NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

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