Decision tools · Compare

1 J5 vs OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Quick take: The 1 J5 has the highest resolution at 21MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the OM-D E-M5 Mark II is weather sealed.

16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Verdictwhich should you buy?

OM-D E-M5 Mark II — Travel & Landscape: The E-M5 II was the benchmark weather-sealed travel camera of its generation. The 16MP sensor is modest by today's standards but excellent in practice, and the 5-axis IBIS is genuinely useful. Weather sealing, a flip screen, and a high-res composite mode make it a practical companion. A highly capable used-market buy for travel and outdoor photographers who don't need the latest resolution numbers.

Who should buy what
OM-D E-M5 Mark II (2015)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Travel photographers wanting compact + weather sealing
  • Outdoor and landscape shooters
  • Micro Four Thirds system users
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification 1 J5Nikon · 2015OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus · 2015
Price —£124 used
Sensor 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS16MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS
Resolution 20.8MPBest16.0MP
Video 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/601080p/60p
Autofocus Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject trackingContrast-detect AF, face detection
Stabilisation No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops
Burst Rate 20fpsBest10fps
Battery Life ~250 shots (CIPA)~310 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 265g (with battery)Best417g (with battery and card)
Dimensions 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm123.7 × 85.0 × 44.5mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedYesBest
Viewfinder None (rear screen only)Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification
Screen 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots
Mount Nikon 1Micro Four Thirds
Memory Cards Single microSD slotSingle SD UHS-I slot
Connectivity USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFCUSB 2.0, Wi-Fi

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
1 J5
OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Portrait
4.3/10
5.0/10
Street
6.7/10
5.9/10
Travel
6.1/10
5.8/10
Wedding & Events
2.9/10
4.0/10
Filmmaking
3.2/10
—
Documentary
4.1/10
4.6/10
Sports & Action
4.9/10
5.4/10
Landscape
3.9/10
5.4/10
Wildlife
5.1/10
6.1/10
Casual
5.0/10
4.3/10
Food
4.8/10
5.9/10
Macro
3.4/10
7.1/10
Architecture
3.9/10
5.4/10
Astrophotography
3.0/10
5.5/10
Vlogging & Video
—
4.2/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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