• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 5DS R advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.14 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
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,308 vs 1,312 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $1499
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    574g vs 948g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.11 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 4.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    51 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    51 vs 15 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Canon 5DS R
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 5DS

Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus E-M1 II
Canon 5DS
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G7

Canon 5DS R
Panasonic G7
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Canon 5DS R
Panasonic GX8
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-1
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-M1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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