Elevate Your Photography Game with Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II - A Comprehensive Review

In today's digital era, photography has become a highly popular and competitive field. Everyone wants to capture stunning shots and share them online. To do so, you need the right camera that can complement your skills and elevate your visuals. Enter Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II - a premium mirrorless camera that boasts top-notch features and advanced technology. In this blog, we'll dive deep into the features, specifications, and performance of this camera, and explain why it's a must-have investment for photography enthusiasts and professionals.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II article cover photo

Key Features

Sep 19 2016

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight574g
MSRP$1999USD

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Overview of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II

If you're an avid photographer, or even just a hobbyist, you already know the importance of having a reliable, high-quality camera. The market is flooded with options, and it's easy to get lost in the sea of jargon and tech specs. But if you're looking for a camera that can truly enhance your creativity, and give you an edge over the competition, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is one of the best choices out there. This camera packs a punch with its superior autofocus system, fast continuous shooting, and impressive image stabilization. It's perfect for capturing sports, wildlife, landscapes, and anything in between. So, let's take a closer look at what makes this camera stand out and why it's worth the investment.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

20 Megapixel Sensor
Fast Autofocus
5-Axis Image Stabilization
Weather Resistant
Dual Card Slots
4K Video Recording
High Res Mode
Live Composite Mode
Fast Burst Shooting
Intuitive Menu System
Articulating Touchscreen
WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity

Cons

Expensive
Smaller Sensor Compared to Full Frame
Limited Lens Selection
Battery Life
Slow Startup Time
Pre-Installed Firmware Is Quite Old
No Built-In Flash

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Weather sealed
Dimensions134 x 91 x 67mm
Weight574g
Thickness67mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the OM-D E-M1 Mark II is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution1,037k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,037k dots. This makes the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

OM-D E-M1 Mark II includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.74x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II has a native ISO range of 200 - 25600 which can be boosted to 64 - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Sep 19 2016

Announced

200 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISO64 - null
Max resolution5184 x 3888 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

80 / 102

Color Depth

23.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

1312 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

2x

Full frame equivalent

48mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageDual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots
Battery Life350 shots
Battery ModelBLH-1
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II supports Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II uses the BLH-1 model of battery pack. This is rated for 350 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of 15.0 fps or an electronic shutter speed of 60.0 fps, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 121 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II?

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II features a CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II weather sealed?

Yes the OM-D E-M1 Mark II does have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II announced?

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II was announced on Sep 19 2016

Does the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the OM-D E-M1 Mark II does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II?

The OM-D E-M1 Mark II has a native ISO range of 200-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 64-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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