• 1/3.2 inch 15.5mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 30.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Samsung Galaxy S II advantages over Olympus AIR

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    10 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Olympus AIR advantages over Samsung Galaxy S II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/3.2 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.39 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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.
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    4 vs 1/15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity

Common Weaknesses

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy S II

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Buy the Olympus AIR
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  • Body Only (White)
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Review Excerpt

  • Amazing screen; Good image quality; Offers more control; Virtual half-press on shutter if desired; easy uploads to social media.

  • Occasional signal trouble; Banding in Macro mode; Design is so slim it's sometimes hard to hold; Muted color.

  • Read our Samsung Galaxy S II Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NV30

Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung NV30
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung Galaxy S II vs Samsung NV30

Olympus AIR
Samsung NV30
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs Samsung NV30

Compared to Canon SD1100 IS

Samsung Galaxy S II
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung Galaxy S II vs Canon SD1100 IS

Olympus AIR
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs Canon SD1100 IS

Compared to Panasonic GM1

Samsung Galaxy S II
Panasonic GM1
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Samsung Galaxy S II vs Panasonic GM1

Olympus AIR
Panasonic GM1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $479
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus AIR vs Panasonic GM1

Compared to Nikon 170

Samsung Galaxy S II
Nikon 170
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Samsung Galaxy S II vs Nikon 170

Olympus AIR
Nikon 170
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $179
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs Nikon 170

Compared to YI M1

Samsung Galaxy S II
YI M1
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Samsung Galaxy S II vs YI M1

Olympus AIR
YI M1
  • $300
  • 4/3
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Faster shutter
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus AIR vs YI M1

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