• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
    2,317 vs 1,312 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer video battery life
    135 vs 90 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 20.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Sony A99 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $3198
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Lighter weight
    574g vs 849g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.6 fps vs 11.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    51 vs 25 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A99 II
Body Only
All A99 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II
Body Only (Black)
All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

  • Read our Sony A99 II Review

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Sony A99 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A99 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II
Canon 5DS R
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Olympus E-M1 II
Canon 5DS R
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1849
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Panasonic G7

Sony A99 II
Panasonic G7
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Sony A99 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic GX8

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-M1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compare Other Cameras?