Two weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds bodies, one flagship and one rugged all-rounder. We compare sensor, autofocus, burst, video, and stabilization to settle whether the OM-1 II is worth nearly double.
Updated: February 2026
Choose if: You shoot fast-moving wildlife, birds, or sports and want the best autofocus, burst, and video in the system. The flagship to grow into.
Choose if: You hike, travel, and shoot landscapes and want pro weather-sealing and class-leading IBIS in the lightest, most affordable MFT body.
| Specification | OM System OM-1 Mark II | OM System OM-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 20MP Stacked BSI Live MOS MFT | 20MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS |
| Processor | TruePic X | TruePic IX |
| Video (Max) | C4K/4K 60p, 4K 120p, FHD 240p | 4K30 (Cinema 4K 4096×2160) |
| Internal Recording | 10-bit 4:2:2 (H.265) | 8-bit 4:2:0 (H.264/H.265) |
| Autofocus | 1,053-point cross-type PDAF, AI subject detection | 121-point cross-type on-chip PDAF |
| Subject Detection | Human, Animal, Bird, Vehicle, Insect | Human + Animal Face/Eye |
| IBIS | 5-axis, 8.5 stops (with Sync IS) | 5-axis, 8.5 stops (8 stops with Sync IS) |
| Burst Speed | 120fps (locked AF), 50fps (AF/AE) | 30fps electronic, 10fps mechanical |
| Viewfinder | 5.76M-dot OLED, 0.83x, 120fps | 2.36M-dot OLED, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle, 1.62M-dot | 3.0" vari-angle, 1.04M-dot |
| Card Slots | Dual SD UHS-II | 1x SD UHS-II |
| Weather Sealing | IP53 (dust + splash), -10°C | IP53 (dust + splash), -10°C |
| Battery Life | BLX-1, ~500 shots (CIPA) | BLS-50, ~310 shots |
| Weight | 599g (body only) | 414g (body only) |
| Price (Body) | ~$2,199 | ~$1,199 |
This is the single biggest gap between the two bodies. The OM-1 II's stacked sensor unlocks a far more advanced AF system:
Winner: OM-1 Mark II, decisively. If you shoot action or wildlife, this alone justifies the upgrade.
The OM-1 II's stacked sensor is built for speed, and it shows in both frame rates and buffering:
Winner: OM-1 Mark II. 30fps is still capable for wildlife, but the flagship operates in a different league.
The OM-1 II is a far more serious video tool:
Winner: OM-1 Mark II. 4K120, 10-bit, and no limits put it clearly ahead for hybrid shooters.
This is where the OM-5 closes the gap, and where the value case is made. Both bodies share the OM System hallmarks:
Winner: Tie on IBIS and sealing; OM-5 for sheer lightness and pack-friendliness.
If you shoot action or video: The OM-1 Mark II is worth the ~$1,000 premium. The stacked sensor, 1,053-point AI autofocus, 120fps burst, and 4K120 are upgrades the OM-5 simply cannot match.
If you shoot travel or landscapes: The OM-5 delivers the same 8.5-stop IBIS, the same IP53 sealing, and the same computational tricks for half the price and 185g less weight. Spend the difference on lenses.
Both share the same 20MP MFT image quality. The decision is about speed and video versus weight and value, not picture quality.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our independent testing.
Our team of professional photographers and videographers has 10+ years of experience testing cameras. We buy our own gear and provide honest, unbiased reviews.
Learn more about our testing process →