• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Leica Q2

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $5198
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 91 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 20.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    51 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 20.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    51 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Leica Q2 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    47.3 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 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
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica Q2
Leica Q2 (Black)
All Q2 Deals

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 Q2
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $5556
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica Q2 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Leica Q2
Panasonic G7
  • $5556
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q2 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Leica Q

Olympus E-M1 II
Leica Q
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Leica Q

Leica Q2
Leica Q
  • $5556
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica Q2 vs Leica Q

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 Q2
Panasonic GX8
  • $5556
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q2 vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $731
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G85

Leica Q2
Panasonic G85
  • $5556
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $731
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q2 vs Panasonic G85

Compare Other Cameras?