Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D7500

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Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D7500

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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 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D7500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D7500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D7500.
Compare Nikon D7500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D7500 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 D7500

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon D7500

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
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 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 8.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 8.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D7500 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.22 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
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.
D7500 test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

1,483 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

950 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Read D7500 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-80mm lens
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-300mm lens

All D7500 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

New carbon fiber body is light, compact and very comfortable; Same excellent image quality as the flagship D500; Quick 8.2 frames per second burst shooting with generous buffer; Very fast, accurate autofocus; Tilting touch-screen display; Very good battery life; Records ultra high-def 4K and 60fps Full HD too.
Only a single flash card slot; Doesn't support portrait / battery grip accessories; No rear infrared receiver any more; non-CPU AI lenses will be manual only; 4K video comes with a heavy crop; Movie AF is prone to hunting, Extended ISO sensitivities are a gimmick.
Read our Nikon D7500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7200

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D7200

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D7200

Nikon D7500

Nikon D7200

$797
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$1016
APS-C

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Nikon D7200

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 D7500

Fujifilm X-T2

$797
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon D7500 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 D7500

Panasonic G7

$797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D7500 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 D7500

Panasonic GX8

$797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$998
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Canon 80D

Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 80D

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$935
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 80D

Nikon D7500

Canon 80D

$797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Fast startup

$935
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
NFC

Compare Nikon D7500 vs Canon 80D

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