The catch
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
It has one card, and its USB supply only reduces drain. Tracking Pro Capture does not work with MFT lenses from other manufacturers.
Side by side
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II vs OM-1 Mark II: OM-5 II is 181g lighter, OM-1 II brings still copies and a different power setup
Quick verdict
The OM-5 II is 181g lighter, and the OM-1 II adds still-card duplication and operation on specified USB PD. Take the OM-5 II if a lighter stills kit and charged BLS-50 spares suit the day. Take the OM-1 II for configured still copies, supported pre-capture needs or a suitable PD-powered setup. Neither offer includes a lens. Movies on the OM-1 II still go to one card, and the faster tracking modes depend on the lens. The OM-5 II stops once its internal battery is empty, even with USB attached.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Files are protected on the larger body only if its duplicate mode writes them
If you are the one covering a family celebration, the OM-1 II can write two configured copies of your stills before you get to the laptop. The OM-5 II, with its single slot, cannot. A movie on the OM-1 II still goes to one selected card, though, so paying for the second slot does not give you a complete video-backup plan. For stills, pick Dual Same 5 if you want shooting to stop when either card fills. Dual Same 6 carries on with the remaining card and leaves a single copy. The upgrade fixes one specific problem at the capture stage. You still need the off-camera copy once the day is over.
Where this comes from
Based on official still and movie destination settings and card-full behavior. No claim of protection for all files or every mode.
The catch
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
It is 181g heavier before the lens and switches to a different battery family. The second card does not duplicate movies.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Why pick it
- Most of your outings are ordinary stills, and a body 181g lighter makes it easier to bring along with the family’s gear.
- The BLS-50 spares and supported lenses you have already suit the day’s work.
- The catch
- It has one card, and its USB supply only reduces drain. Tracking Pro Capture does not work with MFT lenses from other manufacturers.
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Why pick it
- Before you leave the event, the still photographs that matter need two configured card copies. Movies stay on one card.
- You need its supported USB PD and pre-capture setup, and you will budget for compatible BLX-1 spares and lenses.
- The catch
- It is 181g heavier before the lens and switches to a different battery family. The second card does not duplicate movies.
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What this page compares
OM-5 Mark II vs OM-1 Mark II for outdoor family days and important events. Look at the full carrying kit, power banks, pre-capture lenses and card-copy limits.
Someone who owns a smaller OM today can reasonably look at the larger body for action and event work and keep their lenses. The sizable jump in body weight has to pay off with a useful change in capture or supporting equipment.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Carry the same lens in a lighter everyday bag
OM-5 II saves 181g.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Better fit
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Good
Make two internal still-photo copies
Duplication works on the OM-1 II once configured.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Not suitable
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Better fit
Carry over BLS-50 spare batteries
The OM-1 II moves to BLX-1.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Better fit
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Not suitable
Power a planned rig from the specified USB PD source
The OM-5 II takes a lower-power supply just to cut drain.
- OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Caution
- OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Files are protected on the larger body only if its duplicate mode writes them
If you are the one covering a family celebration, the OM-1 II can write two configured copies of your stills before you get to the laptop. The OM-5 II, with its single slot, cannot. A movie on the OM-1 II still goes to one selected card, though, so paying for the second slot does not give you a complete video-backup plan. For stills, pick Dual Same 5 if you want shooting to stop when either card fills. Dual Same 6 carries on with the remaining card and leaves a single copy. The upgrade fixes one specific problem at the capture stage. You still need the off-camera copy once the day is over.
How we worked this out
Based on official still and movie destination settings and card-full behavior. No claim of protection for all files or every mode.
A power bank does not save both cameras from the same low-battery situation
The OM-5 II runs on a 5V1.5A supply to cut drain, but it stops as soon as its internal battery is empty. The OM-1 II takes a suitable USB PD source with the specified output profiles, although it also needs an adequately charged battery to get that arrangement started. If you are setting up a long indoor recording, test the real source and your chosen mode before the event. The upgrade also swaps BLS-50 batteries for BLX-1, which means existing spares do not carry over. Count those batteries and the right power supply in with the body. Neither connection gets around heat, card or closed-cover weather requirements.
How we worked this out
Covers manufacturer power requirements and battery families. It promises no absolute runtime, no battery-free use and no wet-connected use.
A better body may still leave you needing a better lens for the moving subject
On the OM-5 II, refocusing Pro Capture runs at 10fps with a 14-frame maximum and leaves out Micro Four Thirds lenses from other manufacturers. The OM-1 II goes up to 20fps in its ordinary refocusing mode, with up to 99 pre-shutter frames. Its faster 50fps tracking option also calls for specific lenses. With a pet coming toward the camera, the fixed-focus maximum burst on either body is not the right like-for-like comparison. Look at the lens first, then ask whether the longer configured lead-in is useful enough to justify carrying 181g more every day. A compatible mount by itself does not mean the particular action mode you want is supported.
How we worked this out
14/10=1.4 seconds and 99/20=4.95 seconds, using the chosen nominal rates and maximum buffers. 599-418=181g. Lens and electronic-shutter limitations still apply.
Option A
OM SYSTEM, V210070BU000
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Most of your outings are ordinary stills, and a body 181g lighter makes it easier to bring along with the family’s gear.
- Best for
- Most of your outings are ordinary stills, and a body 181g lighter makes it easier to bring along with the family’s gear.
Facts we checked
- Body with battery/card: 418g
- Battery: BLS-50
- External power behavior: 5V1.5A reduces drain
- Card copies: One SD
Option B
OM SYSTEM, V210040BU000
OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
Before you leave the event, the still photographs that matter need two configured card copies. Movies stay on one card.
- Best for
- Before you leave the event, the still photographs that matter need two configured card copies. Movies stay on one card.
Facts we checked
- Body with battery/card: 599g
- Battery: BLX-1
- External power behavior: Specified USB PD support
- Card copies: Two SD, still duplication
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body | OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body with battery/card | 418g | 599g | Before the same lens goes on, the upgrade adds 181g. |
| Battery | BLS-50 | BLX-1 | Your old spares will not transfer. |
| External power behavior | 5V1.5A reduces drain | Specified USB PD support | Sharing a connector says nothing about having the same recording setup. |
| Card copies | One SD | Two SD, still duplication | Movies on the larger body still go to one card. |
| Tracking pre-capture buffer | 14 frames at 10fps | Up to 99 frames at 20fps | Settle the mode and lens first, then compare nominal time windows. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
- Pack charged BLS-50 batteries and verify the lens for tracking pre-capture. The offer is body-only.
With OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
- Add BLX-1 spares, two suitable cards and, if needed, a specified PD source of 27W or greater.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Ordinary outings and the light kit you already have come first
Go with OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body. OM-5 II avoids 181g and a new battery family.
Still copies or the specified powered setup lead
Go with OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body. The OM-1 II brings those changes, along with clear movie and lens limits.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You want a camera light enough for an ordinary family walk, and on important days more protection and fewer power interruptions.
What this page can’t tell you
- Autofocus, grip comfort and thermal runtime have not been measured or compared.
- Having a mode available does not guarantee a sharp action photograph.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the mirrorless cameras we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body |
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| OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
OM SYSTEM OM-5 Mark II body
Most of your outings are ordinary stills, and a body 181g lighter makes it easier to bring along with the family’s gear.
The BLS-50 spares and supported lenses you have already suit the day’s work.
See price & reviews on AmazonOM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II body
Before you leave the event, the still photographs that matter need two configured card copies. Movies stay on one card.
You need its supported USB PD and pre-capture setup, and you will budget for compatible BLX-1 spares and lenses.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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