Decision tools · Compare

OM-D E-M1 vs A1 II

Quick take: The A1 II has the highest resolution at 50MP; the OM-D E-M1 is the most affordable.

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?

A1 II — Professional Sports, Wildlife & High-Resolution Studio Work: The most complete camera ever made — 50MP, 30fps, 8K, and the world's best EVF in a single flagship body.

Who should buy what
A1 II (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
  • Professional sports and wildlife photographers who need 30fps, 50MP, and the best AF available
  • Commercial and advertising photographers who demand 50MP resolution alongside pro video specs
  • Photojournalists who need a single body capable of handling every assignment
  • Sony system shooters ready to invest in the absolute best
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification OM-D E-M1Olympus · 2013A1 IISony · 2024
Price £179Best£5,699
Sensor 16.3MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS50.1MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS
Resolution 16.3MP50.1MPBest
Video Full HD 1080p/308K/30p, 4K/120p 10-bit, S-Log3
Autofocus Dual Fast AF: 37-point on-sensor phase detect + 81-area contrast AF, face and eye detectionAI subject recognition — human, animal, bird, insect, vehicle, aircraft, train
Stabilisation 5-axis in-body stabilisation, 4 stops (CIPA)8.5-stop IBIS (with in-lens OSS)
Burst Rate 10fps (6.5fps with continuous AF)30fps electronic (with full AF/AE), 10fps mechanicalBest
Battery Life ~350 shots (CIPA)~530 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 497g (with battery)Best743g (body only)
Dimensions 130.4 × 93.5 × 63.1mm136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm
Weather Sealed YesYes
Viewfinder OLED EVF, 2.36M dots, 1.48xEVF 0.9× 9.44M-dot — the highest resolution EVF available
Screen 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 2.1M dots
Mount Micro Four ThirdsSony E-mount (full-frame)
Memory Cards Single SD slotDual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots
Connectivity USB 2.0 multi-connector, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack, RM-UC1 remoteUSB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Wi-Fi 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI full-size

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
A1 II
Portrait
5.8/10
9.0/10
Street
6.0/10
6.6/10
Travel
5.8/10
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
4.8/10
8.7/10
Documentary
5.1/10
8.3/10
Sports & Action
6.0/10
9.3/10
Landscape
4.6/10
8.0/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
9.2/10
Casual
4.3/10
5.3/10
Food
5.6/10
8.5/10
Macro
6.9/10
8.1/10
Architecture
4.3/10
8.4/10
Astrophotography
5.4/10
7.2/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.4/10
Filmmaking
—
8.2/10

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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