Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Mirrorless MFT (Micro Four Thirds) Camera Body, Black {20.4MP} without FL-LM3 Flash

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II: the Micro Four Thirds action benchmark.

The E-M1 Mark II arrived in 2016 and redefined what a compact, weather-sealed mirrorless body could do for fast-moving subjects. Its 20MP Four Thirds sensor pairs with 121 all-cross-type phase-detect AF points, every single point sensitive to both horizontal and vertical contrast, and a TruePic VIII processor that keeps pace with burst rates up to 60 fps via electronic shutter or 15 fps with the mechanical. That mechanical shutter is rated to 200,000 actuations, and the 1/32000 sec electronic option opens up shooting in bright conditions without neutral density filters.

The 5.5-stop sensor-shift stabilization is the system's backbone. It works with any lens on the mount, native or adapted, and extends further with compatible Olympus optics through Sync-IS. Reviewers documented handheld exposures stretching to four seconds at a 24mm equivalent focal length, meaningful for blue-hour work or any situation where a tripod slows you down. The body also shoots a 50MP High Res composite by shifting the sensor across eight exposures, an useful tool for static subjects like architecture, product work, and studio setups.

Dual SD card slots, a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen, a 2,360,000-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, plus dedicated microphone and headphone jacks round out a body built for serious work. The BLH-1 battery is rated at 440 shots per charge under CIPA conditions, and real-world 4K video sessions have pushed close to two and a half hours on a single pack. With the depth of the Micro Four Thirds lens catalog behind it, the E-M1 Mark II remains a platform for shooters who need weather sealing, speed, and a genuinely portable kit.

Who It's For

Wildlife and sports photographers get a camera with 121 all-cross-type AF points and proven continuous AF tracking at 10 fps with the mechanical shutter, real-world tested on birds in flight and fast-moving animals. Travel and documentary shooters benefit from the weather-sealed body, 574g weight, and 5.5-stop in-body stabilization that makes handheld low-light work practical without a tripod or rig. Video producers working run-and-gun will find the combination of 4K recording, microphone and headphone ports, and that same stabilization system genuinely useful on location. Studio and product photographers can draw on the High Res mode to produce 50MP composites from static scenes, squeezing significantly more detail from a compact body.

Key Features

• 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with TruePic VIII processor
• 121 all-cross-type phase-detect AF points covering 80% frame width
• 60 fps continuous shooting via electronic shutter, 1/32000 sec max
• 5.5-stop sensor-shift stabilization working with any lens mount
• 2.36MP electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification
• Fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen with 1.04MP resolution
• Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots with UHS-II support in Slot-1
• 4K UHD and Cinema 4K video recording with dedicated mic and headphone jacks

FAQ

How does the E-M1 Mark II's autofocus perform with fast-moving subjects?

The 121 all-cross-type phase-detect AF points track action confidently. In continuous AF mode, it maintains focus on subjects moving toward or away from the camera at frame rates up to 60 fps with the electronic shutter or 15 fps with the mechanical shutter. AF performs well across the lens catalog, including adapted optics.

What's the practical handheld limit for the 5.5-stop stabilization?

At a 24mm equivalent focal length, you can consistently handhold exposures of two to four seconds. With the 12-100mm f2.8 PRO (which adds Sync-IS), or leaning against a support, four-second exposures remain sharp at the same focal length. Stabilization extends further with compatible Olympus optics through Sync-IS.

Can the E-M1 Mark II shoot 4K video handheld?

Yes. The 5.5-stop sensor-shift stabilization works during video recording, eliminating the need for a tripod or rig in most situations. You can shoot 4K UHD or Cinema 4K handheld with steady results, even while moving or at longer focal lengths.

How long does the battery last during 4K video recording?

The BLH-1 battery delivered nearly two and a half hours of continuous 4K UHD shooting in real-world testing, with the body remaining cool afterward. This significantly exceeds the 45–90 minute typical for comparable single batteries.

What is the 50MP High Res mode and when should you use it?

High Res shifts the sensor across eight exposures to synthesize 50MP composites. It's designed for static subjects-architecture, products, interiors, studio work-where subject motion would create ghosting. You'll need a tripod or remote trigger, and the fastest usable ISO is 1600 to avoid noise.

Does the fully articulated screen interfere with external audio and video connections?

Yes. When the screen is rotated to face up or down for high or low-angle framing, it can bump against microphones, headphones, or HDMI monitors plugged into the left-side ports. You can open it to the side without interference, but angling it requires first disconnecting any cables.

Which lenses support Sync-IS for extended stabilization?

Only two Olympus lenses currently feature Sync-IS: the 300mm f4 (totaling 6 stops of compensation with the body's 5.5 stops) and the 12-100mm f2.8 PRO (totaling 6.5 stops). These lenses pair their optical stabilization with the body's sensor-shift for maximum compensation.