• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Panasonic FZ1000 II

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 131 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    469g vs 808g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Panasonic FZ1000 II advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 10.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 10.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    20 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent handling in a compact, weather-sealed body; Crisp, roomy electronic viewfinder; Image quality that can take the fight to APS-C DSLRs; Unique high-res mode lets it bat far above its weight for static scenes; Extremely fast 10 fps burst shooting, Excellent video feature set

  • Control dials are easily bumped; Below-average battery life at default settings; Buffer depths for raw shooters are a bit limited; 16-megapixel sensor resolution feels dated; Weak bundled flash strobe

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic GX7
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M5 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $899
  • 1 inch

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX8

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Olympus E-M5 II
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic FZ1000 II
Panasonic FZ2500
  • $848
  • 1 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 II vs Panasonic FZ2500

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