• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Sony A6100

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Thinner
    44 mm vs 59 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A6100 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $698 vs $899*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 420 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    76 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 13 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • 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

  • 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

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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses
  • Kit with 16-50mm Lens
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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

Sony A6100
Panasonic GX7
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A6100 vs Panasonic GX7

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

Sony A6100
Panasonic GX8
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony A6100 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

Sony A6100
Panasonic GX85
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A6100 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Fujifilm X-T100

Olympus E-M5 II
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Fujifilm X-T100

Sony A6100
Fujifilm X-T100
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A6100 vs Fujifilm X-T100

Compared to Sony A6400

Olympus E-M5 II
Sony A6400
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Sony A6400

Sony A6100
Sony A6400
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • APS-C
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Sony A6100 vs Sony A6400

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