• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 19.6 megapixels
  • 45.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Sigma dp2 Quattro

  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 3.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.39 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.9 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    17 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.0 fps vs 3.7 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    16 vs 7 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma dp2 Quattro advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/1250 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    19.6 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M5

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.

  • Phenomenal detail and "depth" at low ISOs; Extremely high resolution; Incredible image quality for the price and size (at low ISOs); Fast x-sync speeds; Unique design is unconventional but comfortable and balanced.

  • Poor high ISO performance; Very sluggish buffer clearing; Poor low-light AF; No built-in flash; Very limited third-party RAW file support; Bundled Sigma Photo Pro RAW software is slow and buggy.

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
Sigma dp2 Quattro
Olympus E-M1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Sigma dp2 Quattro
Panasonic G3
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen

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
Sigma dp2 Quattro
Olympus E-P5
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $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
Sigma dp2 Quattro
Panasonic GX7
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sigma dp1 Quattro

Olympus E-M5
Sigma dp1 Quattro
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sigma dp2 Quattro
Sigma dp1 Quattro
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Wider angle lens
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