• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 26.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 40,000

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Canon 6D Mark II

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 74 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    652g vs 1560g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Canon 6D Mark II advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.67 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,862 vs 826 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1200 vs 360 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
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    347k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.28 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.58x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    26.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    98 vs 17 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 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
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 6D Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Great vari-angle touchscreen; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Good image quality in most situations; Impressive performance for its class.

  • Disappointing dynamic range; No 4K video; Optical viewfinder comes up short; Narrow AF point coverage through viewfinder.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
Canon 6D Mark II
Olympus E-M1
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
Canon 6D Mark II
Panasonic G3
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-P5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Canon 6D Mark II
Olympus E-P5
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic GX7
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon 6D Mark II
Panasonic GX7
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D610

Olympus E-M5
Nikon D610
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon 6D Mark II
Nikon D610
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More dynamic range
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