Olympus E-M10 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Olympus E-M10 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Compare OLYMPUS E-M10 III vs LEICA SL2

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Differences

Olympus E-M10 II advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$550 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Olympus E-M10 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark E-M10 II test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 842 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
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

400 vs 320 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
10.6 fps vs 8.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 8.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 18 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
50000 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
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
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

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 Leica SL (Typ 601)

Body Only

All SL (Typ 601) 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

Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.
Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) 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

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-M10

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) 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

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic GX85

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Olympus E-M10 II

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$349
4/3

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Olympus E-M10 II

Sony A9

$349
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M10 II vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

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

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-M10 III

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$549
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Olympus E-M10 III

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