• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.5 megapixels
  • 7.30mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Ricoh Theta V

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Ricoh Theta V 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
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 44 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    121g vs 469g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video

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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 II

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

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
Ricoh Theta V
Panasonic GX7
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M5 II
Olympus E-M10
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
Ricoh Theta V
Olympus E-M10
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

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
Ricoh Theta V
Panasonic GX8
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

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
Ricoh Theta V
Panasonic GX85
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus E-M5 II
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Internal flash
Ricoh Theta V
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $444
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
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