Leica Q vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Leica Q vs Olympus E-M1 II

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35mm 864.0mm²
24.0 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica Q Review.

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 Leica Q2
Compare Q vs Q2

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III

Compare LEICA Q2 vs OLYMPUS E-M1 MARK III

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Differences

Leica Q advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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.
Q test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

2,221 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/500 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
24.0 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Leica Q

Less expensive
$899 vs $3695
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
68 mm vs 93 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
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
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 10.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Q User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Body Only (Black)

All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica Q.
Read our Leica Q Preview

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 Fujifilm X-T2

Leica Q

Fujifilm X-T2

$3695
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica Q 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 Sony RX1

Leica Q

Sony RX1

$3695
35mm

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2398
35mm

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q vs Sony RX1

Olympus E-M1 II

Sony RX1

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2398
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Leica Q

Panasonic G7

$3695
35mm

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q 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

Leica Q

Panasonic GX8

$3695
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q 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

Compared to Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Leica Q

Leica X-U (Typ 113)

$3695
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$3495
APS-C

Waterproof
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q vs Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Olympus E-M1 II

Leica X-U (Typ 113)

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$3495
APS-C

Waterproof
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Leica X-U (Typ 113)

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