Upgrade Guide

Olympus PEN E-PL7→Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Olympus

PEN E-PL7

£105 used

2014

→

Upgrade to

Olympus

OM-D E-M5 Mark II

£124 used (+£19)

2015

✅

Strong upgrade

The OM-D E-M5 Mark II improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most PEN E-PL7 owners will notice the difference.

What's new in the OM-D E-M5 Mark II

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.

Full spec comparison

Spec	PEN E-PL7	OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Price	£105 used	£124 used
Released	2014	2015	↑
Sensor	16.1MP Four Thirds Live MOS	16MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS
Resolution	16MP	16MP	↓
Video	Full HD 1080p/30	1080p/60p
Autofocus	Contrast-detect AF (FAST AF), 81 areas, face / eye detection	Contrast-detect AF, face detection
Stabilisation	Sensor-shift in-body stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops
Burst Rate	8fps	10fps	↑
Battery Life	~350 shots (CIPA)	~310 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	357g (with battery)	417g (with battery and card)	↓
Weather Sealed	Not weather sealed	Yes	↑
Viewfinder	None built in (optional VF-4)	Electronic, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification
Screen	3.0" tilting touchscreen (flips down 180°), 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

Compare side-by-side

See PEN E-PL7 and OM-D E-M5 Mark II next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the OM-D E-M5 Mark II against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the PEN E-PL7

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