Sony RX10 II vs Olympus E-M1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony RX10 II vs Olympus E-M1 II

Leave Feedback

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX10 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX10 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX10 II.
Compare Sony RX10 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX10 II conclusion.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Sony RX10 II vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Buy From

Differences

Sony RX10 II advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Higher max flash sync
1/3200 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Sony RX10 II

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Bigger pixels
~ 3.36 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark RX10 II test data on DxO Mark

1,312 vs 531 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
68 mm vs 102 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
574g vs 849g
Lighter weight
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 14.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 29 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
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
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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
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 Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read RX10 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10 II

All RX10 II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II

Body Only (Black)

All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.
Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.
Read our Sony RX10 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 RX10 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 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 Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II

Sony RX10

$998
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Higher effective ISO

$698
1 inch

Less expensive

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Sony RX10

Olympus E-M1 II

Sony RX10

$899
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$698
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony RX10

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic FZ1000

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Top deck display

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Panasonic FZ1000

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic FZ1000

$899
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic FZ1000

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10 II

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$998
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Integrated ND filter

$899
1 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Longer exposure

Compare Sony RX10 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Olympus E-M1 II

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$899
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Compared to Panasonic G7

Sony RX10 II

Panasonic G7

$998
1 inch

In-Camera Image Stabilization
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 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

Compare Other Cameras?