• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Leica CL

  • Less expensive
    $899* vs $6995
    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
  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • 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

Leica CL advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 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
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 51 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M1 II
Body Only (Black)
All E-M1 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-56mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18mm lens (Black)
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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

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

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Top deck display
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL 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

Leica CL
Panasonic G7
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica CL 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

Leica CL
Panasonic GX8
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica CL vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Leica CL
Panasonic G85
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica CL vs Panasonic G85

Compared to Sony A6500

Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A6500
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A6500

Leica CL
Sony A6500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Sony A6500

Compare Other Cameras?