• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 33.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Sony A7 IV

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $899* vs $2298
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A7 IV advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.12 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    3 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    3680k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    33.0 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    828 vs 51 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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

  • 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

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm 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

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

Sony A7 IV
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A7 IV 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

Sony A7 IV
Panasonic G7
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 IV 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

Sony A7 IV
Panasonic GX8
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 IV 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

Sony A7 IV
Panasonic G85
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $631
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Panasonic G85

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon Z7 II
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7 IV
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z7 II

Compare Other Cameras?