OM System
OM-5 Mark II
Updated compact MFT travel body with 20MP sensor, 7.5-stop IBIS, IP53 sealing, and Live ND.
$1,299
Launch priceReleased Jan 2025
OM System
OM-D E-M1
Original pro MFT body that established Olympus as a serious wildlife and macro system.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Sep 2013
OM-5 Mark II is 11.3 years newer.
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Wins
OM-5 Mark II
Wins
OM-D E-M1
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 121)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 310 shots)
- BOM-D E-M1 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
OM-5 Mark II
125 × 85 × 50 mm
414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
OM-D E-M1
147 × 94 × 82 mm
443 g (0.98 lb / 15.63 oz)
OM-5 Mark II is 22mm narrower, 8mm shorter, and 32mm thinner than OM-D E-M1.
OM-5 Mark II is 29 g lighter than OM-D E-M1.
Depth (front-to-back): 50mm OM-5 Mark II · 82mm OM-D E-M1
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
OM-5 Mark II
125 × 85 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-D E-M1
147 × 94 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
OM-5 Mark II
125 × 50 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-D E-M1
147 × 82 mm
Sensor size, to scale
OM-5 Mark II
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
OM-D E-M1
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
OM-5 Mark II
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
OM-D E-M1
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
OM-5 Mark II
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 125.3, 85.2, 49.7
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC
EVF magnification
1.48 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Max video bit rate
240 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Resolution
20.4 MP vs 16.3 MP — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 7 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-D E-M1
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146.8, 93.6, 82.1
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AF points / zones
1053 vs 121 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 310 shots — higher is better
AA filter
Only OM-D E-M1 supports it
ISO min (native)
100 vs 200 — lower is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
OM-5 Mark II
Pros
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS
- ✓IP53 weather sealing
- ✓Live ND & computational modes
- ✓Compact travel body
Cons
- –MFT sensor
- –Single card slot
- –Premium for MFT
OM-D E-M1
Pros
- ✓Pro build
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Fast AF for era
- ✓Compact pro system
Cons
- –16MP dated
- –Superseded
- –MFT limits
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-5 Mark II
OM System OM-D E-M1
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, OM-5 Mark II or OM-D E-M1?
OM-D E-M1 scores 6.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for OM-5 Mark II — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1?
OM-5 Mark II is 20.4 MP and OM-D E-M1 is 16.3 MP, so the OM-5 Mark II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 have in-body image stabilization?
OM-5 Mark II has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-D E-M1 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-5 Mark II or the OM-D E-M1?
OM-5 Mark II reaches 30 fps electronic. OM-D E-M1 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1?
OM-5 Mark II weighs 414 g and OM-D E-M1 weighs 443 g, so the OM-5 Mark II is 29 g lighter.
Do the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 record 4K video?
OM-5 Mark II: 4K up to 30p. OM-D E-M1: 4K up to 60p.
Are the OM-5 Mark II and OM-D E-M1 weather sealed?
OM-5 Mark II: Yes. OM-D E-M1: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 310 shots (CIPA) for the OM-5 Mark II and 640 shots for the OM-D E-M1, giving the OM-D E-M1 the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-5 Mark II launched at $1,299 and OM-D E-M1 at $1,399. The OM-5 Mark II is $100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way OM-5 Mark II vs OM-D E-M1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of OM System press materials.