Samsung NX1 vs Olympus E-M5 II

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Samsung NX1 vs Olympus E-M5 II

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APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M5 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M5 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M5 II.
Compare Olympus E-M5 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M5 II conclusion.

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Differences

Samsung NX1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) 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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
NX1 test data on DxO Mark E-M5 II test data on DxO Mark

1,363 vs 908 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

500 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
28.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 10.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 18 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 10.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 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

Olympus E-M5 II advantages over Samsung NX1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
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 65 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M5 II User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

All NX1 Deals

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Buy the Olympus E-M5 II

Body Only (Silver)

Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

All E-M5 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 Review

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

Samsung NX1

Panasonic GX7

$1797
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$648
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX1 vs 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

Compared to Fujifilm X-T1

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T1

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1099
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T1

Olympus E-M5 II

Fujifilm X-T1

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1099
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Fujifilm X-T1

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX1

Panasonic GX85

$1797
APS-C

Larger sensor
NFC

$598
4/3

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX1 vs 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

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M5 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Olympus E-M5 II

Fujifilm X-T3

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M5 II vs Fujifilm X-T3

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