• 1.5 inch 233.8mm2
  • 13.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Less expensive
    $599 vs $899
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    908 vs 581 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.4 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 66 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.21 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 13.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.4 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 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

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 II

Review Excerpt

  • Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.

  • Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic GX7
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic LX100
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic LX100
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Canon G1X Mark II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M5 II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic GX85
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • NFC
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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