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Sony A7 II vs Olympus E-M1

The Sony Alpha A7 II and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2014 and September 2013. Both the A7 II and the E-M1 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a full frame (A7 II) and a Four Thirds (E-M1) sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Sony A7 II
versus
Olympus E-M1
Sony A7 II   Olympus E-M1
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
24 MP – Full Frame sensor 15.9 MP – Four Thirds sensor
1080/60p Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-25,600 (50 - 51,200) ISO 200-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1230k dots 3.0" LCD – 1037k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Tilting touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge350 shots per battery charge
127 x 96 x 60 mm, 599 g 130 x 94 x 63 mm, 497 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha A7 II and the Olympus OM-D E-M1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Sony A7 II and the Olympus E-M1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-M1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the A7 II is only available in black.

Size Sony A7 II vs Olympus E-M1
Compare A7 II versus E-M1 top
Comparison A7 II or E-M1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7 II and the Olympus E-M1 are of equal size. However, the E-M1 is markedly lighter (17 percent) than the A7 II. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Sony FE Lens Catalog (A7 II) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M1). Mirrorless cameras, such as the two under consideration, have the additional advantage of having a short flange to focal plane distance, which makes it possible to mount many lenses from other systems onto the camera via adapters.

The power pack in the A7 II can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 130 mm 94 mm 63 mm 497 g 350 Y Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus PEN-F 125 mm 72 mm 37 mm 427 g 330 n Jan 2016 1,199ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 II 124 mm 85 mm 45 mm 469 g 310 Y Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-P5 122 mm 69 mm 37 mm 420 g 330 n May 2013 999ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M5 122 mm 89 mm 43 mm 425 g 360 Y Feb 2012 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7C 124 mm 71 mm 60 mm 509 g 740 Y Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A9 II 129 mm 96 mm 76 mm 678 g 690 Y Oct 2019 4,499 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7R III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 650 Y Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A9 127 mm 96 mm 63 mm 673 g 650 Y Apr 2017 4,499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7S II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 627 g 370 Y Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 474 g 340 Y Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7R 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 465 g 340 Y Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A77 143 mm 104 mm 81 mm 732 g 470 Y Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The E-M1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 30 percent) than the A7 II, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Sony A7 II features a full frame sensor and the Olympus E-M1 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M1 is 74 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the A7 II has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Sony A7 II and Olympus E-M1 sensor measures

With 24MP, the A7 II offers a higher resolution than the E-M1 (15.9MP), but the A7 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.97μm versus 3.76μm for the E-M1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A7 II is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 2 months) than the E-M1, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the E-M1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-M1 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Sony Alpha A7 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 50-51200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

A7 II versus E-M1 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under review, the A7 II provides substantially higher image quality than the E-M1, with an overall score that is 17 points higher. This advantage is based on 1.9 bits higher color depth, 0.9 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.7 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.775773
3.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
4.
 
Olympus PEN-F Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38881080/60p23.112.489474
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.012.584273
6.
 
Olympus E-P5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.489572
7.
 
Olympus E-M5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60i22.812.382671
8.
 
Sony A7C Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7340795
9.
 
Sony A9 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.0343493
10.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
11.
 
Sony A7R III Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.014.73523100
12.
 
Sony A9 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.913.3351792
13.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
14.
 
Sony A7S II Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/30p23.613.3299385
15.
 
Sony A7 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.814.2224890
16.
 
Sony A7R Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.614.1274695
17.
 
Sony A77 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.013.280178
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the A7 II provides a higher frame rate than the E-M1. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Olympus is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the A7 II offers a slightly higher resolution than the one in the E-M1 (2400k vs 2360k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony A7 II and Olympus E-M1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
2.
 
Olympus E-M12360 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
3.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
4.
 
Olympus PEN-F2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-P5optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-M51440 n3.0 / 610 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s n Y
8.
 
Sony A7C2360 n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Sony A9 II3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7R III3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony A93686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
13.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7S II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A72400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony A7R2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 4.0/s n n
17.
 
Sony A772359 Y3.0 / 921 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The E-M1 has a touchscreen, while the A7 II has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the E-M1 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Olympus E-M1 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The A7 II writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the E-M1 uses SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Sony Alpha A7 II and Olympus OM-D E-M1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
2.
 
Olympus E-M1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
3.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
4.
 
Olympus PEN-FYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Olympus E-P5Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Olympus E-M5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Sony A7CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
9.
 
Sony A9 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
10.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
11.
 
Sony A7R IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
12.
 
Sony A9Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
13.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
17.
 
Sony A77Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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It is notable that the A7 II has a headphone jack, which is not present on the E-M1 This port makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-M1 (unlike the A7 II) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the A7 II and the E-M1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The E-M1 was replaced by the Olympus E-M1 II, while the A7 II was followed by the Sony A7 III. Further information on the features and operation of the A7 II and E-M1 can be found, respectively, in the Sony A7 II Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-M1 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Sony A7 II and the Olympus E-M1? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A7 II:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 15.9MP) with a 25% higher linear resolution.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (17 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.9 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (0.9 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.7 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 1037k dots).
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 2 months after the E-M1).

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Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M1:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.71x).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 102g or 17 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (30 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2013).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the A7 II emerges as the winner of the contest (12 : 10 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

A7 II 12:10 E-M1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony A7 II and the Olympus E-M1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the A7 II and the E-M1 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M15/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus PEN-F....4/582/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,199ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-M5 II5/5+ +4.5/581/1005/55/5 Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-P55/5+ +..78/1004.5/55/5 May 2013 999ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-M54/5+ +..80/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2012 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Sony A7C3.5/5..3.5/586/1004/54/5 Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
9.
 
Sony A9 II....5/590/1005/55/5 Oct 2019 4,499 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
11.
 
Sony A7R III..+ +4/590/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2017 3,199ebay.com
12.
 
Sony A95/5+ +4.8/589/1005/55/5 Apr 2017 4,499ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7S II5/5+....4.5/55/5 Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A75/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A7R5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A775/591/100..81/100..5/5 Aug 2011 1,399ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Sony A7 II vs Olympus E-M1

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Sony A7 II Olympus E-M1
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date November 2014 September 2013
    Launch Price USD 1,999 USD 1,399
    Sensor Specs Sony A7 II Olympus E-M1
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.8 x 23.9 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 855.62 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 15.9 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4608 x 3456 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.97 μm 3.76 μm
    Pixel Density 2.80 MP/cm2 7.08 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 51,200 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X TruePIC VII
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 90 73
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.9 23.0
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.6 12.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 2449 757
    Screen Specs Sony A7 II Olympus E-M1
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.71x 0.74x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2400k dots 2360k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1230k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony A7 II Olympus E-M1
    Focus System On-Sensor Phase-detect On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations150 000 actuations
    Electronic Shutterno E-ShutterYES
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium MS or SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Sony A7 II Olympus E-M1
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Sony A7 II Olympus E-M1
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Olympus BLN-1
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge350 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 127 x 96 x 60 mm
    (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.4 in)
    130 x 94 x 63 mm
    (5.1 x 3.7 x 2.5 in)
    Camera Weight 599 g (21.1 oz) 497 g (17.5 oz)
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    Check A7 II offers at
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    Check E-M1 offers at
    ebay.com

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