Decision tools · Compare
OM-D E-M1 vs OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Quick take: The OM-D E-M1 has the highest resolution at 16MP; the OM-D E-M1 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 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.
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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 | OM-D E-M1Olympus · 2013 | OM-D E-M5 Mark IIOlympus · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £179Best | £350 |
| Sensor | 16.3MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | 16MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Resolution | 16.3MPBest | 16.0MP |
| Video | Full HD 1080p/30 | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Dual Fast AF: 37-point on-sensor phase detect + 81-area contrast AF, face and eye detection | Contrast-detect AF, face detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis in-body stabilisation, 4 stops (CIPA) | 5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (6.5fps with continuous AF) | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~350 shots (CIPA)Best | ~310 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 497g (with battery) | 417g (with battery and card)Best |
| Dimensions | 130.4 × 93.5 × 63.1mm | 123.7 × 85.0 × 44.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 1.48x | Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0 multi-connector, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack, RM-UC1 remote | USB 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
OM-D E-M1
OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Portrait
5.8/10
5.0/10
Street
6.0/10
5.9/10
Travel
5.8/10
5.8/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
4.0/10
Documentary
5.1/10
4.6/10
Sports & Action
6.0/10
5.4/10
Landscape
4.6/10
5.4/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
6.1/10
Casual
4.3/10
4.3/10
Food
5.6/10
5.9/10
Macro
6.9/10
7.1/10
Architecture
4.3/10
5.4/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
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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