Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon EOS R

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Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon EOS R

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
30.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 40,000

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

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

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Canon EOS R

Less expensive
$899* vs $2499
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 2.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
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 8.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon EOS R 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)
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
EOS R test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

2,742 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
30.3 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
126 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read EOS R User Reviews

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Kit with 24-105mm lens

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Review Excerpt

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

Very good overall image quality; Good dynamic range & very good high ISO performance; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF performance; Sharp native lenses; Great performance with adapted optics; Compact design; Fully articulating LCD.
Sensor performance lags behind competition; No In-Body Image Stabilization; Sluggish burst speed with C-AF; Mediocre battery life; No 4Kp60; 1.7x 4K crop; Ergonomics could be better.
Read our Canon EOS R Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon EOS R

Fujifilm X-T2

$1499
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS R vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to 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

Canon EOS R

Panasonic G7

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS R vs Panasonic G7

Compared to 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

Canon EOS R

Panasonic GX8

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Canon EOS R

Panasonic G85

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS R vs Panasonic G85

Compared to Nikon Z7

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon Z7

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

Compare Canon EOS R vs Nikon Z7

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