OM System
OM-5 Mark II
Compact IP53 Micro Four Thirds body with 20MP Live MOS sensor, 7.5-stop Sync IS, 30fps burst, 4K video, and USB-C charging.
$1,199
Launch priceReleased Jun 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 11.8 years newer.
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Wins
OM-5 Mark II
Wins
OM-D E-M1
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 121)
- AOM-5 Mark II has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareOM-5 Mark II
125 × 85 × 52 mm
417 g (0.92 lb / 14.71 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 30mm thinner than OM-D E-M1.
OM-5 Mark II is 26 g lighter than OM-D E-M1.
Depth (front-to-back): 52mm OM-5 Mark II · 82mm OM-D E-M1
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
AF low-light limit
-8 EV vs -7 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Animals…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 125.3, 85.2, 52
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV
Resolution
20.4 MP vs 16.3 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-D E-M1
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146.8, 93.6, 82.1
AF points / zones
1053 vs 121 — higher is better
AA filter
Only OM-D E-M1 supports it
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only OM-D E-M1 supports it
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓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
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 150 Mbps
- ✓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
- ✓Compact weather-sealed body
- ✓7.5-stop Sync IS
- ✓30fps burst
- ✓4K vertical video
Cons
- –20MP non-stacked sensor
- –Single card slot
- –Smaller EVF than OM-1
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 wildlife, OM-5 Mark II or OM-D E-M1?
OM-D E-M1 scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for OM-5 Mark II — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
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 6.5-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 417 g and OM-D E-M1 weighs 443 g, so the OM-5 Mark II is 26 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 640 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 $1,199 and OM-D E-M1 at $1,399. The OM-5 Mark II is $200 less.
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Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.