Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D5600

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Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D5600

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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.

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5600 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5600 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5600.
Compare Nikon D5600 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5600 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 Nikon D5600

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon D5600

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 8 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D5600 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)
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

970 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

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Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5600 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5600

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All D5600 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

Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.
Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.
Read our Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Fujifilm X-T2

$898
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Panasonic G7

$898
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Panasonic GX8

$898
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 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

Nikon D5600

Panasonic G85

$898
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Panasonic G85

Compared to Pentax KP

Olympus E-M1 II

Pentax KP

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

$898
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Pentax KP

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