Olympus E-M10 II vs Canon SL2

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Olympus E-M10 II vs Canon SL2

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10 II.
Compare Olympus E-M10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 II conclusion.

APS-C 332.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon SL2 Review.
How does it shoot? Canon SL2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.
Compare Canon SL2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon SL2 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M10 III
Compare E-M10 II vs E-M10 III

Succeeded by the Canon SL3
Compare SL2 vs SL3

Compare OLYMPUS E-M10 III vs CANON SL3

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Differences

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Canon SL2

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
Thinner
46 mm vs 69 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
488g vs 668g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.62x vs 0.54x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.9 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.9 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
18 vs 5 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon SL2 advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.60 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
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.
SL2 test data on DxO Mark E-M10 II test data on DxO Mark

1,041 vs 842 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

650 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
51200 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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10 II

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm EZ lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-42mm II R lens

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Buy the Canon SL2

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (Black)
Kit with 18-55mm IS STM lens (White)

All SL2 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent value for the money; Professional-grade ergonomics; Incredibly good image quality for its class; Solid performance specs across the board; Loaded with features.
Kit lens may not be quite as sharp as previous kit lens from this line; Below average battery life; Somewhat confusing menu systems.
Read our Olympus E-M10 II Review

Higher resolution and better image quality than SL1; Much improved dynamic range; Excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Compact body with improved ergonomics; Articulating touchscreen; Full HD movies up to 60p; Better battery life.
Shallow buffer depth with RAW files; Dynamic range and high ISO performance still not as good as leading competitors; No 4K video option; OVF only offers 9 AF points.
Read our Canon SL2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

$399
4/3

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Olympus E-M10

Canon SL2

Olympus E-M10

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10 II

Panasonic GX85

$349
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Panasonic GX85

Canon SL2

Panasonic GX85

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10 III

$349
4/3

Less expensive

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Olympus E-M10 III

Canon SL2

Olympus E-M10 III

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$549
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon SL2 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compared to Nikon D3500

Olympus E-M10 II

Nikon D3500

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Nikon D3500

Canon SL2

Nikon D3500

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$623
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Canon SL2 vs Nikon D3500

Compared to Canon SL3

Olympus E-M10 II

Canon SL3

$349
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$624
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Canon SL3

Canon SL2

Canon SL3

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
NFC

$624
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SL2 vs Canon SL3

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