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Sony A7S vs Olympus E-M1 II

The Sony Alpha A7S and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in April 2014 and September 2016. Both the A7S and the E-M1 II are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a full frame (A7S) and a Four Thirds (E-M1 II) sensor. The Sony has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 20.2 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Sony A7S
versus
Olympus E-M1 II
Sony A7S   Olympus E-M1 II
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Sony E mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
12 MP – Full Frame sensor 20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor
1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-102,400 (50 - 409,600) ISO 200-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (2400k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0" LCD – 921k dots 3.0" LCD – 1037k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen) Swivel touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second 18 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
380 shots per battery charge440 shots per battery charge
127 x 94 x 48 mm, 489 g 134 x 91 x 67 mm, 574 g
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Check A7S offers at
ebay.com
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Check E-M1 II offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Alpha A7S and the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II? 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

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Sony A7S and the Olympus E-M1 II. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Sony A7S vs Olympus E-M1 II
Compare A7S versus E-M1 II top
Comparison A7S or E-M1 II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-M1 II is somewhat larger (2 percent) than the Sony A7S. Moreover, the E-M1 II is markedly heavier (17 percent) than the A7S. 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 (A7S) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-M1 II). 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.

Concerning battery life, the A7S gets 380 shots out of its Sony NP-FW50 battery, while the E-M1 II can take 440 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLH-1 power pack. The power pack in the A7S can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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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 A7S 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 489 g 380 Y Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon Df 144 mm 110 mm 67 mm 760 g 1400 Y Nov 2013 2,749ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-M1 III 134 mm 91 mm 69 mm 580 g 420 Y Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus PEN-F 125 mm 72 mm 37 mm 427 g 330 n Jan 2016 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-M1 130 mm 94 mm 63 mm 497 g 350 Y Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic G85 128 mm 89 mm 74 mm 505 g 330 Y Sep 2016 899ebay.com
9.
 
Sony ZV-E1 121 mm 72 mm 54 mm 483 g 570 Y Mar 2023 2,199 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7R II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 625 g 290 Y Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A7S II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 627 g 370 Y Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
12.
 
Sony RX1R II 113 mm 65 mm 72 mm 507 g 220 n Oct 2015 3,299ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A7 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 474 g 340 Y Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R 127 mm 94 mm 48 mm 465 g 340 Y Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX1R 113 mm 65 mm 70 mm 482 g 270 n Jun 2013 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX1 113 mm 65 mm 70 mm 482 g 270 n Sep 2012 2,799ebay.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 manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-M1 II was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 20 percent) than the A7S, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better 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 A7S features a full frame sensor and the Olympus E-M1 II a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-M1 II 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 A7S has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-M1 II offers a 4:3 aspect.

Sony A7S and Olympus E-M1 II sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the E-M1 II offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 12 MP of the A7S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 8.45μm for the A7S). However, it should be noted that the E-M1 II is much more recent (by 2 years and 5 months) than the A7S, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the E-M1 II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Olympus E-M1 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the E-M1 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A7S are 21.2 x 14.2 inches or 53.8 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.1 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.1 x 9.4 inches or 35.9 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The E-M1 II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

Unlike the A7S, the E-M1 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (50MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Sony Alpha A7S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 102400, which can be extended to ISO 50-409600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 64-25600.

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.

A7S versus E-M1 II MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the A7S has a notably higher overall DXO score than the E-M1 II (overall score 7 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 0.2 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.5 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 A7S Full Frame 12.0 4240 28321080/60p23.913.2370287
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
3.
 
Nikon Df Full Frame 16.2 4928 3280none24.613.1327989
4.
 
Olympus E-M1 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1135676
5.
 
Olympus PEN-F Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38881080/60p23.112.489474
6.
 
Olympus E-M1 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.775773
7.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
8.
 
Panasonic G85 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.565671
9.
 
Sony ZV-E1 Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/60p25.414.6318196
10.
 
Sony A7R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p26.013.9343498
11.
 
Sony A7S II Full Frame 12.0 4240 28324K/30p23.613.3299385
12.
 
Sony RX1R II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53041080/60p25.813.9320497
13.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
14.
 
Sony A7 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.814.2224890
15.
 
Sony A7R Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60p25.614.1274695
16.
 
Sony RX1R Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p25.013.6253791
17.
 
Sony RX1 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p25.114.3253493
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the E-M1 II provides a better video resolution than the A7S. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60p.

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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 A7S offers a slightly higher resolution than the one in the E-M1 II (2400k vs 2360k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Sony A7S and Olympus E-M1 II along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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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 A7S2400 n3.0 / 921 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
3.
 
Nikon Dfoptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n n
4.
 
Olympus E-M1 III2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
5.
 
Olympus PEN-F2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus E-M12360 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
7.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
8.
 
Panasonic G852360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Sony ZV-E1none n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
10.
 
Sony A7R II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
11.
 
Sony A7S II2400 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
12.
 
Sony RX1R II2360 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
13.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A72400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
15.
 
Sony A7R2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 4.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony RX1Roptional n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
17.
 
Sony RX1optional n3.0 / 1229 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
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 II has a touchscreen, while the A7S has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The E-M1 II has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the A7S does not have a selfie-screen.

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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 II 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 A7S writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the E-M1 II uses SDXC cards. The E-M1 II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A7S only has one slot. The E-M1 II supports UHS-II cards (on its first slot), while the A7S can use UHS-I cards.

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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 A7S and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II 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 A7SYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
3.
 
Nikon DfY- / ---mini2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
5.
 
Olympus PEN-FYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Olympus E-M1Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
8.
 
Panasonic G85Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Sony ZV-E1Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
10.
 
Sony A7R IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony A7S IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
12.
 
Sony RX1R IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
13.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony A7Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7RYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
16.
 
Sony RX1RYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony RX1Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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Studio photographers will appreciate that the Olympus E-M1 II (unlike the A7S) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the A7S and the E-M1 II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The A7S was replaced by the Sony A7S II, while the E-M1 II was followed by the Olympus E-M1 III. Further information on the features and operation of the A7S and E-M1 II can be found, respectively, in the Sony A7S Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-M1 II Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Sony A7S or the Olympus E-M1 II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha A7S:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (7 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.5 stops ISO advantage).
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 85g or 15 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • 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 heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in April 2014).

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Advantages of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20.2 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 27%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
  • Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.71x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 921k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (18 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (440 versus 380) out of a single battery charge.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (20 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 5 months of technical progress since the A7S launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-M1 II is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 7 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

A7S 07:20 E-M1 II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Sony A7S and the Olympus E-M1 II 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 remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the A7S or the E-M1 II. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular 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 A7S4/5....86/1004.5/55/5 Apr 2014 2,499ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon Df4/5....81/1004/54/5 Nov 2013 2,749ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-M1 III5/5..5/583/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus PEN-F....4/582/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,199ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-M15/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 1,399ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic G85..+ +..84/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2016 899ebay.com
9.
 
Sony ZV-E1..+4/5....4.5/5 Mar 2023 2,199 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony A7R II5/5+ +5/590/1005/55/5 Jun 2015 3,199ebay.com
11.
 
Sony A7S II5/5+....4.5/55/5 Sep 2015 2,999ebay.com
12.
 
Sony RX1R II5/5....82/100..4.5/5 Oct 2015 3,299ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A75/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,699ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7R5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 2,299ebay.com
16.
 
Sony RX1R5/5......4/54.5/5 Jun 2013 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony RX15/5....79/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,799ebay.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 are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Sony A7S vs Olympus E-M1 II

    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 A7S Olympus E-M1 II
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Sony E mount lenses Micro Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date April 2014 September 2016
    Launch Price USD 2,499 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Sony A7S Olympus E-M1 II
    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 12 Megapixels 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4240 x 2832 pixels 5184 x 3888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 8.45 μm 3.34 μm
    Pixel Density 1.40 MP/cm2 8.96 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 102,400 ISO 200 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 409,600 ISO 64 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor BIONZ X TruePic VIII
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 87 80
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 23.9 23.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.2 12.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3702 1312
    Screen Specs Sony A7S Olympus E-M1 II
    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 921k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Swivel screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Sony A7S Olympus E-M1 II
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 18 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic ShutterYESup to 1/32000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-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 Dual card slots
    UHS card support UHS-I Single UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Sony A7S Olympus E-M1 II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Sony A7S Olympus E-M1 II
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Sony NP-FW50 Olympus BLH-1
    Battery Life (CIPA)380 shots per charge440 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 127 x 94 x 48 mm
    (5.0 x 3.7 x 1.9 in)
    134 x 91 x 67 mm
    (5.3 x 3.6 x 2.6 in)
    Camera Weight 489 g (17.2 oz) 574 g (20.2 oz)
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