• 1/3.2 inch 15.5mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 30.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung Galaxy S II advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    10 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    132g vs 497g
    Lighter weight
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

Olympus E-M1 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.
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.39 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 1/15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Samsung Galaxy S II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1

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.

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Samsung Galaxy S II
Olympus E-M5
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

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
Olympus E-M1
Samsung NV30
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

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
Olympus E-M1
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Samsung Galaxy S II
Panasonic GH4
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Thinner
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Samsung Galaxy S II
Panasonic GX8
  • $200
  • 1/3.2 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Internal flash
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GX8
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
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